Diogo Jota broke down barriers, embodied Liverpool and never looked back on first promise
Over the next five years, not only did the Portuguese forward stick to his promise, but he exceeded expectations in every way both on and off the field. Jota's sudden death still doesn't feel real, and probably never will, but his effervescent personality will forever live on and ensure his spirit is immortalized.
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Symbolized by the 'You'll Never Walk Alone' motto, Liverpool's philosophy is unity, strength, passion, and community. Jota was not only a complete forward for Liverpool on the pitch but also cherished those values in everything he did. Liverpool supporters and the wider soccer community will forever admire him.
READ MORE: Diogo Jota tributes LIVE: Liverpool forward dies in tragic car accident alongside brother Andre
READ MORE: Diogo Jota said heartfelt goodbye to 'best friend' at Liverpool weeks before tragic death
As soccer players go, Jota was in the elite category. On May 25, he lifted the Premier League title for the first time, and two weeks later, he became a two-time UEFA Nations League champion with Portugal, embracing Cristiano Ronaldo after beating arch-rivals Spain.
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Despite being viewed as elite, even world-class, Jota continued approaching the game as if he were still a young child growing up in Porto, playing for the sheer love of the game. Whether it was Pacos de Ferreira, Porto, Wolves, Liverpool, or his national team, Jota played with a smile on his face and appeared to appreciate every moment.
Those around him appreciated his presence, as Jota was viewed as a radiator in every locker room he ever stepped foot in. While he was a supremely talented soccer player who improved every team he played on, his kind nature and warm spirit helped lift the spirits of everyone around him.
Jota finally got his hands on the Premier League trophy this year
For those specifically at Anfield, fans don't ask for much. In exchange for their hard-earned cash and loyal support, the 61,000 fans inside the famous stadium want to see Liverpool players give their all for 90 minutes and feel blessed to wear the iconic shirt. Jota never let them down.
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Jota's passion for the game extended past the realms of reality, as he also gained a reputation as an avid gamer. Jota was an extremely gifted FIFA / EAFC player who once spent a week ranked as the world's No. 1 player.
The forward broke barriers as he connected with fans in a different space. He regularly streamed his gameplay online and connected with his beloved audience. Jota even invested in the eSports market, creating his own professional team called Luna Galaxy.
Jota was the perfect representation of Liverpool, a fitting role model for young fans, athletes, and gamers. He treated everyone with love and respect. There aren't many players adored by each club they represented in their career, but Jota is undoubtedly one of them.
Tributes laid at Anfield for Jota after his tragic passing
He truly was more than a soccer star, but his glowing personality meant that he was often overlooked for his craft. Jota was a total forward who always found a way to score, as highlighted by the versatility of his goal catalogue.
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Despite being 5-foot-10, Jota was extremely underrated aerially and capable with both feet. During his five-year tenure at Liverpool, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 games, 13 of which were headers, and 19 were scored with his alleged weaker left foot.
Another reason Liverpool fans loved Jota was his impact, as 23 of his goals were game-winning strikes. Fittingly, his final goal for Liverpool came in a 1-0 win over Everton, as the Reds closed in on the Premier League title.
The soccer world is mourning, and even with the unprecedented Liverpool loss, there is never a fixed timeline for grief. It's a devastating tragedy, one of the saddest in sports history, but Jota will forever go down in Liverpool folklore and deservedly so.
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