Diogo Jota, whose real name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, was born on December 4, 1996, and played professional football for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team. Before his untimely death in a vehicle accident on July 3, 2025, at the age of just 28, Jota was a well-liked figure in world football as a dynamic attacker with tactical versatility and a knack for scoring.
Early Life
At the age of nine, Jota began playing football for the local team, Gondomar SC. He was signed by Paços de Ferreira in 2013 because of his extraordinary talent, and he progressed through the development system there before making his professional debut in the 2014–15 Primeira Liga season.
Religion
Diogo Jota grew up in a pious Portuguese household and was a Catholic Christian. Despite not being overtly religious, he frequently made the sign of the cross prior to games and was renowned for his self-control and humility on and off the field. His peaceful dignity and his faithful partnership with Rute Cardoso were reflections of his principles.
Marital Status
When they first met in their teens, Diogo and Rute were childhood sweethearts. They became engaged in 2022 and remained together for the duration of his football career. In Porto, Portugal, they were married in a private ceremony on June 22, 2025. Only a few days before tragedy struck, their union was celebrated. The couple is blessed with three children.
Timeline for Club Careers
Ferreira Paços (2014–2016)
- Made his senior debut when he was only eighteen.
- Played in 41 games and scored 14 goals.
- Become one of the Portuguese league’s most promising young players.
- FC Porto & Atletico Madrid Loan (2016–2017)
2016 in Atletico Madrid
- He was promptly loaned to FC Porto, where he made 37 appearances and scored nine goals.
- He never participated in a competitive game for Atlético, despite his potential.
Wanderers of Wolverhampton (2017–2020)
- Joined Wolves on loan in 2017; the contract was finalized in 2018 (for around £12.6 million).
- Contributed significantly to Wolves winning the Championship and getting promoted to the Premier League.
- Scored 44 goals, including famous hat-tricks, in 131 games.
- Gained notoriety for his tenacious pushing and astute movement.
The 2020–2025 Liverpool FC season
- Signed for a sum of £45 million in September 2020.
- Quickly gained popularity among fans and scored important goals in every competition:
- Champions League hat-trick against Atalanta Contributions to FA Cup, EFL Cup, and Premier League victories.
Liverpool honours:
- Premier League (2024–25)
- FA Cup (2021–2022)
- EFL Cup 2021–2022 and 2023–2024
- 2022’s FA Community Shield
Liverpool appearances in total: 131
Liverpool’s total goals: 56
Portugal’s International Career
- He made his Portugal national team debut against Lithuania on November 14, 2019.
- He scored his first goal for his country against Croatia on September 5, 2020.
- a member of the 2019 UEFA Nations League winning team.
- He scored 14 goals and earned more than 35 caps for his nation.
- Participated in FIFA World Cup qualifying in 2022 and UEFA Euro 2020.
Life Away From Football
Playing games:
- Jota, a devoted FIFA fan, rose to the top of the international rankings on FIFA 21 Ultimate Team.
- Started his own esports squad, Luna Galaxy.
- He was well-liked by the gaming community and streamed frequently on Twitch.
Interests:
- Time with his family.
- Enthusiastic about video games and technology.
- Kept a low profile and avoided being involved in media controversy.
Death
Just 10 days after marrying the love of his life, Jota died in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, on July 3, 2025, with his younger brother André Silva, age 26. The car was discovered burned and crashed, and both men were declared dead at the scene. His death was deeply mourned by the football community, including Liverpool FC, Portugal FA, and fans worldwide.
Estimated Salary and Net Worth
At the time of passing Liverpool, his net worth was approximately €17 million. Salary: Approximately €140,000 a week, or £7.2 million a year
made extra money through endorsements, appearances, and esports.
