Celebrating the Legacy of Diogo Jota: A Football Talent Lost Too Soon
The footballing world mourns the passing of Diogo Jota, a beloved player known for his talent and character, as tributes pour in from fans and teammates alike.
If there is a through line to the outpouring of grief across the footballing world after the death of Diogo Jota, it is the sense of a footballer who was deeply admired. Supporters, teammates, and coaches might have adored his talent but there was something deeper about this man that means his passing is so painful even for those who don’t know him.
It is best typified in an interview he gave four years ago. Despite a successful first season at Liverpool, marred by injuries, his second saw him playing a starring role as the Reds clinched the domestic double and brought excitement to the Premier League and Champions League. When asked about his journey to stardom, Jota chose to reflect on the struggles his family faced in supporting his early football career.
“I wasn’t paying, my parents were. I remember that was the hardest thing for me, I could see their struggle to get the money into the club. I think that caused me a debt that I will never pay back. Obviously, I try to.”
This was a superstar who never forgot that he was where he was through the aid of others as much as the remarkable talent in his own boots. As Jurgen Klopp put it that same year, he wasn’t just an “exceptional player” but an “exceptional boy” too.
…
In his 28 years, Jota brought incalculable joy to so many football fans. His death and that of his brother seem all the crueller given he was just getting the joyous moments he deserved: the Premier League title, more international honors with Portugal and of course his marriage to long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
At a time of tragedy, it seems perverse to write about a player’s statistical profile, but it tells us something about Jota the man. When Michael Edwards and his recruitment team concluded that then-23-year-old with 16 Premier League goals could be the man to eventually break up the fab three of Firmino, Sadio Mane and Salah, they saw a player who kept getting in shooting positions.
Football will be a better place if others follow that example. Connect to the community by remembering Jota’s spirit and passion on and off the pitch.
