On 3 July 2025, the world woke up with expectations for the day. But the sporting world was not prepared for what would hit it, a tragedy which would shock the world—Diogo Jota’s death.
On 22 June 2025, he married Rute Cardoso and their wedding videos trended on social media with friends and teammates sending in congratulatory messages. Expectations were positive, that they would have many years together to care for their three children and build a beautiful family.
But that expectation was cut short by an accident involving Jota and his brother, Andre Silva who played for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel. The accident happened on the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilia, Zamora, Spain.
It was a dark morning for sports followers around the world. He had just won the Premier League with Liverpool, got married to the love of his life and there could be no better success story to be told. However, that was the end of that beautiful journey—Jota was gone.
The shock hit Anfield first, then reverberated around the world. Tributes poured in from different parts of the world. Liverpool announced the death of the forward with heavy hearts and their tribute was touching. His teammates at Liverpool, his former coaches and the sporting world paid tributes to the forward.
“He was not only an outstanding footballer, he was also an outstanding human being.
“The shock and grief of his passing will continue to be felt for a long time to come and the club stands alongside and sends love to Rute, his three children, his parents and the rest of his – and André’s – family and friends.” Liverpool.
“There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
“I send all my strength to his family. From where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.” Darwin Nunez.
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!” Jurgen Klopp.
“It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.” Cristiano Ronaldo.
These were an infinitesimal of the tributes and adulation which poured in for Jota. He was not just a footballer, he was a person who touched lives by the way he lived, as shown by the tributes.
A moment of silence was held in his honour before all games at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 on 3 and 4 July 2025. Players of the Portuguese national team wore black armbands in the game against Spain.
In Zurich, at the headquarters of FIFA, flags were flown at half mast in his honour.
And so it was, that little boy from Gondomar grew to become a man. He had dreams like every little boy would, he wanted to return to his hometown and to make a huge impact in the lives of young ones there.
He would later become a hero at Wolves and a household name at Anfield but the curtains were drawn as soon as the show began.
With love from Africa
Jota’s influence on other footballers was far-reaching. Professional players and budding talents from across the world paid tribute to the former Liverpool star but the voices and re-enactments from Africa were especially remarkable.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was held in July, during the same period that tributes were pouring in for Jota from different parts of the world. Players in the tournament also showed their solidarity.
Super Falcons winger, Rinsola Babajide was the first to re-enact Jota’s celebration at the tournament. She scored her debut goal for the Falcons against Tunisia and she celebrated by paying tribute to him with his trademark video game celebration.
Babajide played for Liverpool Women from 2018 to 2021 and also wore the jersey number 20 for a period. Hence, that celebration was personal to her as she was also a fan of the former Portuguese player.
Later in the tournament, Ghana’s Nancy Amoh, a player of Ampem Darkoa Ladies scored the winning penalty against dethroned defending champions, South Africa in the third-place game and paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
In Lagos, Nigeria, at the Oshodi NITEL ground was the venue of the 1XBET Cup, a Nigerian grassroots player scored and paid tribute to Jota.
At the Nigerian National League (NNL) Super Eight tournament in Edo State, Nigeria, there were also tributes for Jota.
The playoffs was a promotion tournament in which the best four teams get promoted to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). Wikki Tourists of Bauchi spanked Yobe Desert Stars 4-0 to go top of the Northern Conference. The players of the “Bauchi Elephants” celebrated their win with a tribute to Jota.
Arne Slot
When Slot arrived at Anfield, he knew the challenges ahead. He was coming to a ground where winning was a tradition and he was to wear the shoes of a manager who had won everything for Liverpool—Jurgen Klopp.
When he arrived at Liverpool, one of the first receptions he had was the beautiful chants for Jota by fans and he reasoned that if the fans could sing for this player, then he must have special qualities.
“When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo.
“I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities,” he said in his tribute to Jota.
Truly, Slot saw those qualities and harnessed them to suit his own style.
On 17 August 2024, Arne Slot managed his first Liverpool game in the Premier League against Ipswich Town. The Reds kept on knocking on the door but could not find a breakthrough. Then it finally came when Arnold released Salah down the right who sent a low cross to Diogo Jota and the forward slotted home, opening the gates of many goals to come under the new manager.
Jota had a special place in Slot’s heart. He was the manager’s secret weapon; one he could rely on when the chips were down. When it became tough, Slot would look at the bench to call on his talisman.
He would remember Jota for his memorable goals but there are some he would not forget in a hurry. In January 2025, Jota got the equalizer against Nottingham Forest just 21 seconds after coming in as a substitute. That goal secured what was a precious point for Liverpool in their title chase.
In April, Jota scored in the 57th minute to give Liverpool victory against Everton in an exhilarating Merseyside derby, thereby establishing a 12-point lead for the Reds on the table. That was one of Jota’s most memorable goals for the club.
So for Slot, he lost a player so dear to him and one who had a place in all he has achieved at Liverpool. In the opening game of the new season against Bournemouth, he was overwhelmed by emotions. With the game at 2-2, he would have called on Diogo Jota but he was not there. Reality set in—he can no longer call on his man to come forth. He saw tributes from fans to his former player and it was a moment of truth for him—Diogo is no more.
Amidst grief, football returns for Liverpool.
Liverpool fans had been in shock: A player who they sang for was no more but football must continue. Few weeks away from their champions seemed like it was forever, at least they needed that awakening that the stories were true.
On 13 July, the fans came out to see their team again in a friendly game against Preston. But nothing would have prepared them for the reality. For Liverpool players, it was their first game after they lost Jota and they would strut to the pitch, mired deep into melancholy and the ambivalence of celebrating their goals with joy and dedicating them to their former teammate.
Fans came with drawings of Jota, waiting for a special moment to say goodbye. Preston’s captain Ben Whiteman in a show of support laid a wreath in front of the Liverpool fans. The screens at the stadium had tributes for Jota and Andre Silva. Soon, the soul-touching Liverpool anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was played and the fans sang with with every breathe in them, emotionally adding meaning to every syllable—that song assumed a new meaning for them.
There was a moment of silence before kickoff and Preston fans cooperated, weaving strands of unity as the stadium went silent.
Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez scored for Liverpool and both players did the shark celebration in honour of Diogo Jota. The fans too had their moments as they waited patiently for the 20th minute to chant Jota’s song because the former player wore the number 20 jersey which the club had retired.
The number 20 and 21 jerseys.
Players have come and gone at Anfield and have worn different jersey numbers—some iconic, others memorable, but none in recent memory had a song attached to the jersey number like Jota’s. He was a “number 20” with a difference for the fans.
In order to honour their number 20, the Reds showed a gesture which had never been done in their history; they retired the number 20 across the junior and women’s teams. In a statement on 11 July, the club described this as making the number eternal.
“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.
“Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20,” the club said.
With Jota’s number retired at Liverpool, what would happen to his number at the Portuguese national team where he wore the jersey number 21? It was a question that the head coach, Roberto Martinez would have to answer.
He had seen Jota at close range and managed him, so he bore the burden of what could be a befitting valedictory gesture for his former forward.
Therefore in a press conference on Friday, 29 August, Roberto Martinez made an announcement, one enunciated with a heavy heart, a demonstration of reality and one which would put the questions from fans to bed. Ruben Neves would now wear Jota’s number 21 jersey.
This was fitting. Neves was Jota’s best friend. They had a strong bond which grew stronger day by day. They were teammates at Wolves and the national team and were always seen together. Martinez aptly said Neves was the best to wear the jersey.
“Diogo’s absence is a factor of unity, motivation and responsibility, because Diogo wanted to win the World Cup, and we are here to fight and achieve that dream.
“I can also announce that the number 21 jersey will go to Ruben Neves, because that way, that number will remain on the field and with all of us.
“He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him,” said Martinez.
Neves was at the Club World Cup in the USA when his friend passed on. It was a difficult moment for him. Just before Al-Hilal’s game with Fluminense, the stadium announcer called for a moment of silence for Jota and Andre Silva.
Neves and Cancelo, his teammates at the national team could not hold their tears. In the glare of the world, Neves shed tears as pictures of his friend flipped through his mind like an album, but he must be strong enough to play.
Neves returned from the US to pay last respect to his friend. He was a pallbearer on the day and watched as his best friend; one whom he had attended his wedding some days back, was lowered into the earth.
After the funeral, Neves continued to show support to Rute Cardoso and the family. He was at the Molineaux with Jota’s wife as the club paid tribute to Jota. That jersey will be symbolic for him. He will always be reminded about the dreams of his friend, their hopes and aspirations and the feeling that his best friend lives.
The tributes took a different twist at Brighton. James Milner, who won the league with Jota at Liverpool, joined Brighton and chose the number 20 as a “mark of respect” to his former teammate. He played for three seasons with Jota and was also present at his funeral.
“Once I heard Carlos was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and to obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota.
“He was an amazing player, who I was fortunate to play with, and he was a great friend as well.
“It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year,” he told MyAlbion TV.
Liverpool’s first home game of the season.
“We will now observe a minute of silence in memory of Diogo Jota, our forever number 20 and his beloved brother, Andre Silva. As we do so, we ask all supporters with a mosaic card to kindly raise it to help create a special tribute in both of their honour. The silence will begin and end on the referee’s whistle.”
That was the announcement from the stadium announcer whose voice was crystal clear, yet emotional. The fans had created mosaics and Anfield was well-decorated; waiting for the kick-off of the first game of the Premier League season. As the announcer’s voice resonated across the stadium, fans brought out their mosaic cards, creating a beautiful yet sober ambience.
With their cards raised, they formed the initials of both brothers. “AS 30” and “DJ 20” which represents their jersey numbers too.
The referee sounded his whistle and the arena went totally silent. It was the loudest silence one could think of. Bournemouth fans cooperated so that even a drop of grain would literally be loud. It was a perfect silence—one with sober reflection, respect and sympathy.
The players were at the centre circle, battling lots of emotions alongside Arne Slot and the players on the bench. It was perhaps one of the longest 60 seconds of their lifetime. Images of Jota would have flashed through the minds of the Liverpool supporters and players at that moment and they had different thoughts in their minds. When the referee signalled its end, the silent crowd let out a thunderous roar and spirited applause. Then, the stage was set for what would be a night full of drama at Anfield.
Mo Salah’s final tribute.
That evening was a special one for Salah. The game was at 3-2 and in extra time when he breezed past Bournemouth’s defenders to the left. That was not his favourite position, as he would be expected to cut in and shoot with his right foot. It was a familiar way of scoring, not to him but to Jota. A line in the Jota chant reads: “And when he’s running down the left wing. He’ll cut inside and score for LFC.”
So he was at that position. As if he were Jota, Salah cut inside and scored the winner with his right foot. He did the Diogo Jota celebration, paying his tribute to the owner of that trademark finish.
After the game, the fans raised banners in tribute to Jota and they chanted the Jota song. The players joined and left after a moment but one man remained: Mohammed Salah. He was Jota’s good friend; they celebrated victories together and shared the pain of defeat as close mates.
If he had not fully felt the weight of that loss at any time, that was the moment. As he clapped with the fans, he wanted to chant the songs with them but he could not—he had a lot in his heart, emotions running through his head and pictures in his mind, such that only he, could fully tell. He wanted to try the chants again but his mouth quivered, his eyes had turned red. Tears flowed from his eyes in the full glare of the world.
The world can have their opinion of how strong a man should be, but Salah would not be ashamed to show the world how he truly felt—deep and unexplainable pain over the loss of an ally.
Salah showed that he was human. At that point, it did not matter how rich and influential he was, he could feel raw emotions and the reality that money has limits to what it can buy. He showed that behind the glamour of playing in top leagues, players are humans with feelings like others; they can be deeply hurt and also face vulnerabilities like everyone.
It was a glowing tribute from a dear friend, a special human and a former teammate.
As the world mourned, there were reflections and eulogies, but one of them from @justkiddingfifa was so touching, yet expressive. It permeates the soul like a sober elegy.
The elegy
A month ago, you lifted the Premier League title with Liverpool. Just a few days ago, wearing your country’s jersey, you celebrated winning a Nations League title. You married the love of your life just ten days ago, surrounded by smiles, dreams, and promises of the future.
You had everything ahead of you: youth, talent, family, history at your feet. And today, simply, you’re no longer here. A road, a night, a moment—everything stopped. How fragile life is. How ephemeral everything is. You never know when that last hug, the last laugh, the last sunrise will be.
We spend our lives making plans, as if tomorrow were guaranteed, as if we had a contract signed with destiny. But no; no one is guaranteed tomorrow. Today you are here, celebrating. Tomorrow, you may be just a memory on the lips of those who loved you.
And that’s what hurts. The suddenness. The unfairness. The impossibility of assimilating. Let this remind us of the essential: Love strongly. Live with purpose. Be grateful for each day as if it were your last; because one day, it will be. Rest in peace, champion. Your light shone brightly, even if only briefly. In short, how unfair life is.
The last goodbye
Liverpool lifted the title on 25 May 2025 in front of a vociferous crowd at Anfield. Amidst the celebration, the fans spared a moment to sing for their special player who joined the chants of his own song. That was the last time he would do so at Anfield; a place where he was so loved. Jota may be gone but his chants are not, he is Liverpool’s forever number 20. No matter what happens, Anfield will always have these lyrics at heart.
“Oh he wears the number 20. He will take us to victory. And when he’s running down the left wing, he’ll cut inside and score for LFC.
“He’s a lad from Portugal, better than Figo, don’t you know? Oh his name is Diogo.”