Diogo Jota: Liverpool's 'exceptional player, exceptional boy' / Photo: Paul ELLIS - AFP/File
Diogo Jota: Liverpool's 'exceptional player, exceptional boy'
Diogo Jota was quickly hailed by the Liverpool support as "better than (Luis) Figo" and the shocking death of the Portuguese international on Thursday has left the English champions in mourning.
The 28-year-old died alongside his younger brother Andre after their vehicle veered off a motorway in northern Spain before bursting into flames.
A product of the Pacos de Ferreira academy on the outskirts of his native Porto, Jota made his name and played the majority of his professional career in the Premier League.
His precocious talent caught the eye of Atletico Madrid who snapped him up in 2016 but he never played a game for the Spanish giants.
Instead, after a loan spell at Porto, Jota was among the first wave of Portuguese talent parachuted into England at then second-tier Wolves due to the club's connections with super-agent Jorge Mendes.
Jota's goals helped fire Wolves from the Championship to the quarter-finals of the Europa League in just three seasons.
That caught the eye of Liverpool, who splashed out a £45 million ($62 million) transfer fee for the versatile forward even in the midst of the economic meltdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
"Exceptional player, exceptional boy," said former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp during Jota's early days at Anfield. "He has everything that a Liverpool player in this squad needs."
Jota took little time to deliver some return on Liverpool's investment, becoming the first player in the club's history to score in his first four home games.
Once supporters were back in the stands after the pandemic, Jota's popularity was reflected in a chant proclaiming him to be better than Portugal legend Figo, who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona during his decorated career.
He was a key part of the side that won the League Cup and FA Cup in 2021/22, narrowly missing out on the Premier League and Champions League for what would have been an unprecedented quadruple.
- 'He will never be forgotten' -
In total, Jota struck 65 times in 182 appearances for the Reds, the last of which won the Merseyside derby against Everton in April to edge Liverpool ever closer to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
"Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be," said Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
"There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone."
But not for the first time in Liverpool's rich history, tragedy has struck to overshadow triumph.
Jota's last public act as a player on Merseyside was taking part in the trophy parade through the city, which will be remembered for a car ploughing into the crowds, injuring 109 people.
Fans laid hundreds of shirts, scarves and flowers in tribute at Anfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo was among those to express his disbelief that his international team-mate has passed.
"It makes no sense," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner posted on social media. "Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."
Ronaldo and Jota, who won 49 caps for his country, had been part of the Portugal team that won the Nations League last month.
Jota then wed his long-time partner and mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago.
"Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father," added Klopp.
Off the field, Jota was well-known for his passion for video games and even had his own esports team Luna Esports.
"When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song," added Slot.
"For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten."
B.A.Bauwens--JdB
