There is a Diogo Jota performance that many Liverpool supporters will remember above all others. In October 2022, with the Reds struggling for form, Jota and his teammates faced a formidable Manchester City team that would go on to win a historic treble that season. A month before the 2022 FIFA World Cup—an event Jota had long dreamed of playing in—many players might have held back to avoid injury. Not Jota. The Portuguese forward did not score or assist, but he played 100 intense minutes, tirelessly winning the ball back. Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory, but Jota’s relentless effort resulted in an injury in the final minute, causing him to miss the World Cup.
With the next tournament approaching in 2026, Jota would likely have fulfilled that dream. However, that opportunity, along with the chance to experience life as a young father and newlywed, was tragically taken from the 28-year-old on Thursday morning when he and his brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in northwestern Spain.
Hunger and Bravery
Perhaps Jota could have avoided injury against Manchester City by steering clear of challenging tackles. But that was not his style. “The way he played the game was full of this sort of scampering energy. He would hunt the ball down aggressively, and he’d hunt space down aggressively,” said Neil Atkinson, CEO and host of The Anfield Wrap, in an interview with CNN Sports’ Amanda Davies.
Jota’s technical skills, while impressive, were not always on par with some of his teammates. However, his willingness to fight made him a beloved figure on Merseyside. “They loved that work ethic, that sheer desire, and the fact that he had almost a sense of mischief about him in the manner of his goals as well,” Atkinson added. This work ethic resonated with Liverpool fans, who frequently sang his praises at matches.
Jota was vocal about his philosophy of hard work. “As a fan—I was a fan myself—you want to see a player fighting for the club, for the badge that they both love,” he said in a video released by Liverpool following the news of his death. His tenacity extended beyond the field; as a young player struggling for games at Atlético Madrid, he chose to join Wolverhampton Wanderers, then in the Championship, England’s second tier. His bravery paid off, leading to a successful stint and a move to Liverpool in 2020.
Collective Spirit
At Liverpool, Jota found a kinship with a city that, like him, has often had to fight. In 1981, riots in Liverpool highlighted tensions between the police and the Black community, leading to then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher being advised to let the city decline. Eight years later, the Hillsborough disaster claimed 97 lives, with victims’ families campaigning tirelessly until a 2016 inquest ruled the deaths unlawful.
Liverpool, a club familiar with tragedy, faced another blow just weeks ago when a car rammed into a crowd celebrating the club’s Premier League title, injuring dozens. In the face of Jota’s death, the city is once again united in grief. “The only way to get through this is to get through it together,” Atkinson stated.
This sentiment was echoed by Sally, a Liverpool fan, who told CNN Sports’ Matias Grez, “You stick together because that’s the only way it’s going to work. That’s the community spirit. It’s not just Liverpool, it’s Everton as well. Rivalries aside, times like this everyone comes together.” Among the tributes at Anfield were items from fans of Everton, Liverpool’s local rival.
Home Away from Home
Jota, who grew up near Porto, found a second home in Liverpool. His affinity for the city extended to its culture, with former teammates Andy Robertson and Caoimhín Kelleher noting his love for darts and horse racing, playfully dubbing him “Diogo MacJota.”
Sally, the Liverpool supporter, described Jota as relatable and humble, “You could tell he was a down-to-earth fella. He was very humble. He wasn’t showy-offy. He was just very much a family man.” This connection to the city’s family-oriented spirit made Jota a cherished figure.
The funeral for Jota and his brother took place in their hometown of Gondomar on Saturday. While the loss is profound for his family, Liverpool too mourns the passing of one of its beloved sons, a testament to Jota’s enduring spirit and tenacity.
