- Full Name: Diogo José Teixeira da Silva
- Nickname: Diogo Jota (from the Portuguese letter "J")
- Date of Birth: December 4, 1996
- Place of Birth: Massarelos, Porto, Portugal
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Religion: Catholic Christian
- Height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
- Position: Forward / Winger
Diogo Jota, born Diogo José Teixeira da Silva on December 4, 1996, was a professional Portuguese footballer best known for his time as a forward for Liverpool FC and the Portugal national team. A dynamic attacker with tactical versatility and an instinct for goal, Jota became a beloved figure in world football before his tragic death in a car crash on July 3, 2025, at just 28 years old.
Early Beginnings:
Jota started playing football at the age of 9 with local club Gondomar
SC. By 2013, his exceptional talent earned him a spot at Paços de
Ferreira, where he rose through the youth system to make his professional
debut in the 2014–15 Primeira Liga season.
Club Career
Timeline
Paços de Ferreira (2014–2016)
- Made his senior debut at just 18
years old.
- Scored 14 goals in 41
appearances.
- Became one of the youngest
standout players in the Portuguese league.
Atlético Madrid & Loan to FC Porto
(2016–2017)
- Signed by Atlético Madrid
in 2016 for approx. €7 million.
- Loaned immediately to FC Porto,
where he scored 9 goals in 37 appearances.
- Despite promise, he never played
a competitive game for Atlético.
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2017–2020)
- Joined Wolves on loan in 2017;
deal made permanent in 2018 (~£12.6M).
- Played a key role in Wolves' Championship
title and promotion to the Premier League.
- Scored 44 goals in 131
appearances, including iconic hat-tricks.
- Built a reputation for his
relentless pressing and intelligent movement.
Liverpool FC (2020–2025)
- Signed in September 2020 for a
fee rising to £45 million.
- Quickly became a fan favorite
with crucial goals across all competitions:
- Champions League hat-trick vs.
Atalanta
- FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Premier
League winning contributions
- Honours with Liverpool:
- 🏆 Premier League (2024–25)
- 🏆 FA Cup (2021–22)
- 🏆 EFL Cup (2021–22, 2023–24)
- 🏆 FA Community Shield (2022)
- Total Liverpool appearances: 131
- Total Liverpool goals: 56
International
Career for Portugal
- Debuted for the Portugal national
team on November 14, 2019, against Lithuania.
- Scored his first international
goal on September 5, 2020, vs. Croatia.
- Part of the squad that won the UEFA
Nations League in 2019.
- Earned over 35 caps and
scored 14 goals for his country.
- Played in UEFA Euro 2020
and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Religion and
Personal Values
Diogo Jota was a Catholic Christian, raised in a devout Portuguese
home. Though he wasn’t outspoken about his faith, he often made the sign of
the cross before matches and was known for his humility and discipline both
on and off the pitch. His values were reflected in his loyal relationship with
Rute Cardoso and the quiet dignity with which he lived his life.
Family Life: Wife
and Children
- Spouse: Rute Cardoso
- Marriage Date: June 22, 2025 (just 10
days before his passing)
- Children: 3 (Two daughters and one son)
Love Story:
Diogo and Rute were childhood sweethearts who met in their teens. They
stayed together throughout his entire football career and became engaged in 2022.
Their wedding was held in a private ceremony in Porto, Portugal. Their union
was celebrated just days before tragedy struck.
Life Outside
Football
Gaming:
- A huge fan of FIFA, Jota
famously became #1 in the world on FIFA 21 Ultimate Team.
- Launched his own esports team: Luna
Galaxy
- Active on Twitch, he streamed
regularly and was beloved by the gaming community.
Hobbies:
- Enjoyed spending time with family
- Passionate about tech and video
games
- Maintained a low-profile personal
life, staying out of media drama
Tragic Death
On July 3, 2025, Jota died in a car accident in Zamora,
Spain, alongside his younger brother André Silva, aged 26.
- The car was found burned and
crashed; both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
- He passed away just 10 days
after marrying the love of his life.
- The football world, including Liverpool
FC, Portugal FA, and global fans**, mourned his passing deeply.
Career Achievements
& Legacy
|
Achievement |
Details |
|
Premier League Title |
Liverpool (2024–25) |
|
FA Cup |
Liverpool (2021–22) |
|
EFL Cup |
Liverpool (2021–22, 2023–24) |
|
UEFA Nations League |
Portugal (2019) |
|
FIFA World Cup Appearances |
Qualifiers and 2022 squad member |
|
Wolves Championship Win |
2017–18 (promoted to Premier League) |
|
Personal Honors |
PL Player of the Month (Jan 2024),
Breakthrough XI |
Playing Style &
Strengths
- Versatile Forward: Played as a central striker,
left winger, or false nine.
- Two-Footed Finisher: Comfortable with both feet,
deadly in tight spaces.
- High Work Rate: Famous for pressing, tracking
back, and team-first play.
- Sharp in the Box: Excellent off-the-ball
movement, aerial presence, and instinct for rebounds.
Estimated Net Worth
and Salary
- Net Worth: ~€17 million at the time of
passing
- Liverpool Salary: Estimated €140,000 per week
(~£7.2M annually)
- Earned additional income from
esports, endorsements, and appearances.
Legacy: What Diogo
Jota Leaves Behind
Diogo Jota’s life may have been brief, but his legacy is everlasting.
From humble beginnings in Portugal to global stardom at Liverpool, he
exemplified talent, integrity, and humility. His tragic death shocked the
world, but his faith, family values, and football brilliance
will inspire generations.
“He played with fire in his feet and peace in his heart. The pitch will
miss him, but heaven gains a striker.”
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
1. Was Diogo Jota married before his death?
Yes, he married Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025—just 10 days before he died.
2. How many kids did Diogo Jota have?
Three children: one son and two daughters.
3. What caused Diogo Jota's death?
He died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on July 3, 2025, along with his
brother André.
4. What teams did Diogo Jota play for?
Paços de Ferreira, FC Porto, Atlético Madrid (no appearances), Wolverhampton
Wanderers, and Liverpool FC.
5. What was Diogo Jota’s religion?
He was a Catholic Christian.
6. Who died with Diogo Jota?
Brother Andre Silva - Premier League footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, a professional player for Portuguese side Penafiel, have died after being involved in a car accident in Spain.
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