A Tribute To Diogo Jota: Not Only A Fantastic Player But A Great Friend | OneFootball

“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father!” a heartbroken Jurgen Klopp said, following the Portuguese striker’s tragic passing on Thursday. The football world is mourning the loss of the 28-year-old who passed away after a road traffic accident in Zamora, Spain which also took the life of his younger brother, Andre.

What Made Diogo Jota Such A Fantastic Player?

Jota was born in Porto, Portugal and came through the youth ranks of Gondomar before going on to play for Pacos Ferreira. He earned a move to Atletico Madrid in 2016 and also had an impressive loan spell at Porto.

Jota sealed a move to England to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. After impressing on loan, he earned a permanent move to the West Midlands club a year later. The Portuguese striker became a fan favourite at the Molineux Stadium as he helped Wolves seal promotion back to the Premier League.

Jota’s skill set and versatility caught the eye of Liverpool chiefs as the Reds decided to sign him in 2020. The Portugal international went on to score 65 goals and secure 26 assists in 182 appearances for the Merseyside club.

Known for his knack for scoring goals, Jota used to strike fear in the hearts of the opposition defenders because of his relentless energy and drive to succeed at the highest level. He helped the Reds win the League Cup twice, the FA Cup once and the Premier League once.

Jota also helped his nation Portugal win the UEFA Nations League prior to his tragic passing on Thursday.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 03: A detailed view of a tribute which read “Jota forever our number 20 YNWA” on gates on the outside of Anfield as tributes are laid for Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The current Liverpool player and Portugal international Jota died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain at the age of 28. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

The World Mourns The Loss Of Diogo Jota

The tributes have been pouring in from football fans as they have paid their respects outside Anfield. Jota’s club and international teammates have also reflected on the unimaginable loss. Most of their comments echo the same sentiments. Jota was not only a brilliant footballer but also a great friend on and off the field.

Some of the heartfelt messages can be found below:

“I will always remember you with your smile” – Darwin Nunez

“I feel so lucky to have shared the pitch with you” – Harvey Elliott

“You will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch” – Dominic Szoboszlai

“It doesn’t make sense… we will miss you” – Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also spoke from his heart when talking about Jota’s untimely passing on the club’s official website. Slot said,

“For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.

“I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.

“There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.”