Ousmane Dembele salutes Jota after PSG goal in Club World Cup quarter-final | OneFootball

PSG’s Dembele Pays Tribute to Jota in Club World Cup Victory

Emotional homage during PSG’s win over Bayern

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele offered a poignant tribute to the late Diogo Jota during PSG’s 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening. After scoring the game’s opener, Dembele performed Jota’s iconic video game celebration — a clear gesture of solidarity amid a week of profound sadness in the footballing world.

While Dembele and Jota were never team-mates, the PSG winger clearly felt the weight of the moment, paying his respects in a gesture that quickly resonated across the sport. Jota, who tragically passed away alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car accident on Thursday, was widely admired not just for his footballing talent but also his love for gaming and e-sports.

Global tributes from teammates and rivals alike

Tributes have poured in from across the globe, reflecting the esteem in which Jota was held both as a player and as a person. The 28-year-old former Liverpool forward, a popular figure during his five-year spell at Anfield, was laid to rest in his hometown of Gondomar, Portugal on Saturday. Present at the funeral were current and former team-mates, including Liverpool players and manager Arne Slot, all visibly moved by the tragedy.

Elsewhere, former Portugal colleague Pedro Neto honoured Jota before Chelsea’s Club World Cup fixture against Palmeiras, holding up a personalised shirt in memory of the duo. Emotions also ran high before Al-Hilal’s semi-final, with Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves seen in tears during a moment of silence.

The wave of grief extended beyond Portugal and the Premier League. Liverpool fans gathered outside Anfield, placing scarves, shirts and floral tributes near the Shankly Gates, in honour of a player whose impact stretched far beyond the pitch.

Jota’s legacy in football and e-sports

Diogo Jota was renowned not only for his decisive goals — such as the memorable late winner against Tottenham in 2023 — but also for his passion for competitive gaming. A well-known figure in the e-sports community, Jota’s celebrations often nodded to his online persona.

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Jota captured the footballing world’s attention by winning the FIFA 20 ePremier League Invitational, defeating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final. At the time representing Wolves, Jota even scored four goals with his own avatar in an 8-2 demolition of Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi.

By 2021, he had climbed to the top of FIFA 21’s global Champions Leaderboard. His commitment to gaming extended beyond casual play — Jota launched his own e-sports organisation, originally Diogo Jota eSports, later rebranded as Luna Galaxy, and regularly streamed his matches on Twitch.

His unique ability to bridge elite football and the digital gaming world set him apart, earning him admiration from fans of both spheres.

Mourning a footballer and a father

The tragic accident that claimed the lives of Jota and his brother Andre occurred while they were travelling to Santander, reportedly following medical advice to avoid flying after Jota’s recent lung surgery. Just days before the tragedy, Jota had married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children.

Mourners filled the São Cosme Chapel in Gondomar for Friday’s vigil, with public figures such as Bernardo Silva, Diogo Dalot, and Jota Silva present. Liverpool’s chief executive of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes also paid their respects.

Jota’s influence was felt far and wide. At 28, he was a player in his prime, a devoted father, and a man who effortlessly united football and digital culture. His death leaves a void not just at Liverpool or in Portugal, but in the wider footballing community.