Liverpool and the football world woke up to heartbreaking news Thursday—forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva passed away in a fatal car crash in northwestern Spain.
Jota, 28, had just celebrated his marriage to longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 and was a devoted father to their three young children.
As a key Liverpool figure since joining in 2020, he made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in the Reds’ Premier League title win in the 2024-25 season.
During his five-year stint, Jota helped Liverpool win one Premier League title, one FA Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, one Community Shield, and two EFL Cups.
With deep condolences, I will share my five favorite moments when Jota shone on the pitch and we cheered for him:
1. Premier League debut winner vs Arsenal (September 2020)
Just nine days after his £41 million move from Wolves, Diogo Jota made a statement in front of the Anfield faithful.
He came off the bench while Liverpool were leading 2–1 to Arsenal, replacing Sadio Mané late in the game.
With 88 minutes on the clock, Jota received a weak clearance from Arsenal’s David Luiz, cushioned it on his thigh, and fired a volley that sailed inside the left post, sealing a 3–1 win in his debut.
Then-manager Jürgen Klopp praised him as a “top guy,” noting how Jota had adapted quickly to Liverpool’s high-press system.
2. Champions League hat-trick vs Atalanta (November 2020)
Just two months into his Liverpool debut season, the Portugal international experienced one of his career highlights on the Champions League stage.
Liverpool traveled to Atalanta's fortress in Bergamo, widely regarded as one of the toughest places for visiting teams, and Jota delivered a masterclass performance with three goals in 38 minutes, helping Liverpool secure a victory.
He opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a pinpoint pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, cushioning the ball with precision before dinking it coolly over the onrushing goalkeeper.
Before halftime, he doubled his tally, timing his run perfectly to meet Joe Gomez’s lofted ball and slotting a low finish into the far corner with clinical ease.
Then, just nine minutes into the second half, he completed the hat-trick by rounding the keeper after a neat through ball from Sadio Mané, tapping into an empty net to seal a dominant 5–0 win and underline his rising star status at Liverpool.
Liverpool went on to win 5–0—a record away victory against Italian opposition in European competition—and Jota’s performance earned widespread acclaim.
3. Winning stoppage-time goal vs Tottenham (April 2023)
In a game for the ages at Anfield, Liverpool surged to a 3–0 lead inside 15 minutes, only for Tottenham to stage a stunning fight-back, equalizing deep into stoppage time and silencing the home crowd.
When fans in the stands believed Liverpool would settle for this embarrassing draw, Jota, stepping off the bench, seized a loose ball from Lucas Moura and fired a low, decisive shot into the net during extra time, helping Liverpool survive 4-3 in a clutch moment.
The stadium erupted, and in an unforgettable celebration, manager Jürgen Klopp sprinted onto the touchline, only to pull a hamstring in the process.
4. Emotional tribute: Goal dedication to Luis Díaz’s family (October 2023)
His goal wasn't just crucial; it carried emotional significance.
In a 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Jota scored Liverpool’s second goal of the match. Just days earlier, the parents of teammate Luis Díaz had been kidnapped in Colombia, prompting widespread concern and emotional strain within the squad.
Because of that, Díaz himself was absent from the match, seeking solutions.
After finding the net, Jota ran to the bench, held up Díaz’s No. 7 jersey under the spotlight, and pointed to the sky, sending a powerful message of solidarity.
The gesture was widely shared across social media and praised by both the club and the global football community, showing Jota’s deep empathy during a moment of real-life crisis and serving as a reminder of brotherhood at Liverpool.
5. Late magic in Merseyside Derby (April 2025)
The Merseyside derby ranks among football’s most intense local rivalries. Earlier in the season, Everton surprised Liverpool with a chaotic 2–2 draw at Goodison, marking the final derby at that historic stadium, thanks to James Tarkowski’s thunderous stoppage-time equalizer.
That goal left Liverpool stunned and Everton celebrating.
Liverpool was determined to bounce back in April’s second-round match, with Jota, once again coming off the bench, stepping up with the game-winning mission claimed.
The game was a close, physical contest, featuring an early challenge by Tarkowski that only earned a yellow card.
But the Reds broke the drought in the 57th minute. Luis Díaz executed a clever back-heel pass to Jota, who deftly juked two defenders with quick dribbling and fired the ball into the left side of the net.
His stunning goal sparked jubilant celebrations and secured Liverpool’s 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
These are only a few of the countless wonderful memories we will cherish from his time at Liverpool, but we hope they bring a smile to your face in this tough time.