Diogo Jota`s death caused immense grief throughout the football world, stemming primarily from the deep respect he had earned. While supporters, teammates, and coaches admired his talent, there was a more profound quality about the man himself that makes his passing so painful, even for those who didn`t know him personally.
This depth is perhaps best illustrated by an interview he gave four years prior. His first season at Liverpool had been successful despite injuries; in his second, he played a starring role as the Reds secured two domestic trophies and pushed both the Premier League and Champions League races to the very wire. As is common for a player at the peak of their game, he was asked to reflect on the challenges he overcame on his path to stardom. After all, at the age of 16, he was still playing for his local club, Gondomar, not earning a salary, but effectively paying to play.
Instead, Jota chose to highlight someone else`s struggle.
“I wasn`t paying, my parents were,” Jota told the BBC. “I remember that was the hardest thing for me: seeing how hard they struggled to find money for the club. I think that created a debt I`ll never be able to fully repay. Of course, I try.”
Here was a superstar who never forgot that his success was built as much on the support of others as it was on the remarkable talent in his own boots. As Jurgen Klopp said that same year, he was not merely an “exceptional player” but also an “exceptional boy.”
Jota also possessed a dazzling talent. This was evident to any Championship defender who encountered him during Wolves` promotion season; in those days, he could single-handedly dismantle opposing teams. His thrilling blend of abilities was epitomized by his last goal in a Liverpool shirt: dancing past Idrissa Gueye with his right foot, taking one more touch to create a shooting angle, and unleashing a brilliant low drive that defeated Everton and sent Arne Slot`s team jubilantly marching towards the title. Jota had that crucial clutch quality: recall the equalizer at Old Trafford on his first visit as a Red, the last-gasp winner against Tottenham, and the consistent way he ruined Arsenal`s afternoons.
Such moments secure a special place in the hearts of supporters. Yet, it feels like there`s more to it than that, something that would compel a Wolves fan to immediately make a pilgrimage to Anfield. “He wore his heart there,” the fan told Hayters, clutching the badge on his old gold shirt. “When he kissed the badge, you knew he meant it.”
Jota cared, and Jota worked tirelessly. There were never media leaks suggesting frustration when he lost his starting spot or public attempts to force a move from Molineux to Anfield. When injuries struck, he redoubled his efforts, battling through muscle issues last year to make a decisive impact for Liverpool during the final stretch. Think back to that final goal again. The dribble and finish are enchanting, but where did they originate? From the diligence to throw himself into a tackle high up the pitch. A Portugal international with over 40 caps, a man with nothing left to prove in the sport, he would consistently outwork his opponents.
In a time of tragedy, discussing a player`s statistical profile might seem unusual, but it reveals something about Jota the man. When Michael Edwards and his recruitment team concluded that the then 23-year-old with 16 Premier League goals could eventually be the one to break up the celebrated trio of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah, they saw a player who constantly got into scoring positions, whose expected goals would one day align with actual output. These numbers were a reflection of Jota`s personal attributes. He may not have been the biggest, strongest, or even the very fastest (though he certainly had a burst of pace), but he worked as hard as any forward to get into positions where he could make a meaningful contribution to his team.
Assistant manager Pep Lijnders lauded him as a “pressing monster.” Despite the wealth of attacking talent available, Portugal always looked like a better team with Jota in it. Liverpool fans adored the Portuguese player, singing he was “better than Figo, don`t you know.” This affection is unsurprising, given he always seemed to find time to support fans in need.
In his 28 years, Diogo Jota brought immeasurable joy to countless football fans. His death and that of his brother feel even more cruel considering he was just beginning to enjoy the moments he deserved: a Premier League title, further international honors with Portugal, and of course, his marriage to his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
His story should have continued. More trophies with Liverpool and Portugal. The next generation of footballers would undoubtedly benefit from his guidance. But all of that pales into insignificance compared to the life he and Rute could have shared.
Both on and off the pitch, Jota embodied the sport at its finest. There was something about his approach to his work that commanded the admiration of others. “They say that we only lose people when we forget them,” said Ruben Neves, his teammate for both Wolves and Portugal. “I will never forget you.”
Football will be a better place if others follow his example.
