Latest news with #PaçosdeFerreira
The Guardian
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Senseless death of Diogo Jota will not stop us celebrating what he brought life
Bad moon, bad times and a river that will be overflowing for some time yet. It is impossible not to feel a deep sense of pain, sadness and shared heartbreak at news of the sudden death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash in Spain. Jota was 28, father to three young children and a husband to his long-term partner, whom he married 11 days before his death. Things that happen in sport are often described, with due dramatic licence, as tragedies. This is not a sports story. But it is the most terrible human tragedy. Those who have suffered similarly can empathise. But it is above all a private horror, an event that will alter the lives of family and friends for ever. And yet it is of course a sport story too, and for good, warm, vital reasons, because Jota was blessed with the talent, heart and will that qualified him to live the extraordinary public life of a modern-day elite footballer. Within that nexus he was able to do so with the grace, humour and commitment that made him a beloved teammate and fan favourite, and also a fine public sporting figure, an athlete who poured energy, life and love into providing moments of uplift and connection in the shirts of Liverpool, Wolves, Porto, Portugal and his first club, Paços de Ferreira. There is no sensible response when someone dies so young, with an entire second human life as father and husband still to be lived. But at a time when footballers are present constantly in our lives, when to exist in that form is to carry a distinct kind of responsibility – one players such as Jota gladly assume – his death will be a source of much public grief too. Everybody liked Diogo Jota. Those who saw him progress from his Porto neighbourhood of Gondomar felt a huge sense of pride. Liverpool supporters cherished his presence, his intelligence and his hunger for the team. Three years ago he got the song his contributions deserved: He's a lad from Portugal / Better than Figo don't you know, to the tune of Argentina's 2014 World Cup final hymn, which is in turn derived and football-ised from Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising. And even in the immediate shock there is a huge amount to remember and be glad of in the life of Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, the Portuguese word for the letter J added early on as a footballing nickname. He came through at Paços de Ferreira to the north-east of his home city. Atlético Madrid signed him and loaned him to Porto and then Wolves, which became permanent in 2018. He settled instantly in Wolverhampton, hanging out at the Aromas de Portugal cafe in the city centre, welcoming his first child, playing a bit of training-ground cricket, always ready to meet local people, and even revealing at one point that he'd grown up with a soft spot for Everton in the David Moyes years, because they were 'relentless'. Nobody was ever going to hold that against Jota at Anfield. Have you met this guy? Too nice, too smart, too much of an all-round mensch. He signed in September 2020 and set off like a train, scoring seven goals in his first 10 games and adding speed, drive and expert finishing to that mid-Klopp team. Overall, and we must now say finally, Jota played 182 matches for Liverpool in a revolving folk‑hero frontline that also featured Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi, Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez. Even within that extended cast he was distinct, notable for his intelligence, movement and commitment to the team cause. He made 49 appearances for Portugal and played the last 15 minutes of the Nations League final victory four weeks ago, which would turn out to be his last game of football. And now we have this, a full stop. Why does it seem quite so shocking, even from a distance, even beyond the fans who watched him in the flesh or on some fast-cut remote stream? Perhaps because Jota had that lightness about him, the kind of footballer who barely seems to leave a dent in the grass, who, for all the tactical match-smarts seems still to be playing the same endless teenage game, just in the way he moved and twirled into space. Perhaps because he was a notably intelligent forward, one of those players where you feel you know them just by watching them, every run and pass part of some high-speed internal monologue. Probably it has something to do with the way we observe sports people now generally, something to do with the way the game has become more remote, the connection coming in other ways, through the figures on the screen, the way they move and react, a strange kind of public-private intimacy. Plus, of course, this is just such a violent interruption. It makes no sense. Youth is a finite quality. But young, smart, beautiful, nice people are supposed to live for ever. Whereas in reality it is perhaps a blessing this doesn't happen more often. Professional athletes live hugely intense, fast‑paced lives of constant travel and change. Rishabh Pant, who batted on Wednesday for India at Edgbaston, was lucky to escape with his life after a horrific car crash in Uttarakhand in December 2022, and is additionally cherished for every day he gets to keep on doing this. Jota will now be cherished instead as a vivid and indelible memory. He always spoke really well, which was part of that feeling of intimacy. After scoring a late winner against Tottenham two years ago there was a notably lucid TV interview in which he gave an insight into his own connection to the moment after Liverpool had been pegged back late on. 'I remember Robbo [Andy Robertson] telling me to go on because we normally play that long ball – to go on and believe, and you could feel that was already a good sign. We did that, we won the second ball, we played back, we played again in behind and I could intercept a pass and score the winner. It was amazing. 'It doesn't require too much thinking. I think the moment there that I believed I could intercept was key because I started running in behind and I saw their full-back could pass the ball back. That was the key moment for me and then it was just: 'Make sure you control it right and you hit the target,' and hopefully it's in – and it was!' Jota also mentioned his song that day, which was sung relentlessly around Anfield at full-time, a coronational moment in a career that had begun in the hush of Covid. 'In my first season I scored a few winners as well, late, but there was no crowd and everybody was telling me: 'You should see it if this was full,' the feeling, and I could feel that tonight. It was something special that I will remember for ever.' The reverse is of course now true. Anfield will remember Diogo Jota for ever. Nothing will ease the private grief. There is no script for moments like these. But for what it's worth that song and the feeling behind it will provide its own fond, rolling Viking funeral in the years to come.
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Obituary: Diogo Jota never took his abilities for granted
The Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota, who has died aged 28 in a car accident in Spain, won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the League Cup with Liverpool, with whom he played from 2020 until his death. A two-time winner of the Nations League with Portugal, he also claimed a Championship title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018, having arrived in England the previous year. Playing up front and on the left wing, Jota was a versatile, exciting player whose pace, dribbling skills, intelligent movement and composure in front of goal allowed him to score more than 100 times in 300 appearances for his various teams, which also included Porto. A surprisingly good header of the ball, despite his 5ft 9in stature, he never took his abilities for granted, and was respected throughout his career as a hard-working individual who was more than willing to do the pressing work up front that is so much part of the modern game. His Premier League title with Liverpool came in April 2025, and he won the second of his Nations League winners' medals with Portugal in June. As popular on the terraces as he was in the dressing room, he might have expected to take part in many more successes at Liverpool and with his country. Born in the Massarelos area of Porto, he was the son of Joaquim Silva, a crane operator, and Isabel, a car factory worker. 'Jota' is the letter J, for José. Diogo took it up to differentiate himself from similarly named players. He started at the age of nine with his local Gondomar sports club before signing for another, bigger, Porto-based team, Paços de Ferreira, in 2013 and making his senior debut as an 18-year-old the following year. He played more than 40 games for Paços de Ferreira in the Portuguese first division before being picked up by the Spanish La Liga team Atlético Madrid in 2016. Although he had two seasons on Atlético's books, Jota failed to make the first team there, and instead spent much of 2016-17 back in Portugal on loan with Porto, scoring eight times in the Primeira Liga and gaining Champions League experience there, including with a goal against Leicester City. Still not finding favour at Atlético, he spent the following 2017-18 season on another loan, this time in the English Championship with Wolves under the direction of their Portuguese manager Nuno Espírito Santo. His 17 goals proved instrumental in Wolves' title win ahead of Cardiff City and he was subsequently signed on a full-time basis for €14m (£12m), becoming a key element of the side's transition into the Premier League, where they finished seventh in their first two seasons back at the top level. Liverpool came along in September 2020, paying £41m to secure Jota from Wolves. The club had only recently won the Premier League and Champions League titles, but their manager, Jürgen Klopp, saw Jota as a player who could further strengthen an already impressive squad. File photo dated 11-04-2024 of Diogo Jota and Jurgen Klopp. "Heartbroken" former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he is struggling to comprehend the death of Diogo Jota. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. He scored on his Premier League debut for Liverpool, against Arsenal, and shortly afterwards had the honour of bagging Liverpool's 10,000th goal, against the Danish team Midtjylland in the Champions League, one of seven he scored in his first 10 Liverpool appearances. A knee injury ruled him out for three months in the middle of that season, in which Liverpool finished third, but in 2021-22 he kicked on impressively, scoring 21 goals in all competitions. He slotted home one of Liverpool's successful spot-kicks as they beat Chelsea 11-10 on penalties in an extraordinary denouement to that season's League Cup final, and then came on as a 33rd minute substitute for Mohammed Salah in the FA Cup final, converting another from the spot as Liverpool again won on penalties against Chelsea after an extra-time 0-0 draw. In addition he appeared off the bench in the 65th minute of the Champions League final that season, which Liverpool lost 1-0 to Real Madrid. After signing a new contract at the beginning of the next season, Jota scored 15 times in the 2023-24 campaign despite being hampered by various injuries, before adding a Premier League medal to his other two Liverpool honours in Arne Slot's first season as head coach in 2024-25, with nine goals from 26 appearances. The first of his 49 international matches came in 2019 with a debut against Lithuania in a European Championship qualifier, and he was a member of the Portugal squad that won the Nations League that year. At the 2020 Euros he played in all of Portugal's matches until they exited after a round-of-16 loss to Belgium, but missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury. He was back in the Euros in 2024 with three appearances as Portugal progressed to the quarter-finals, in which they lost to France, and his medal as a winner in the 2025 Nations League came from another penalty shootout victory, this time against Spain in the final. In all he scored 14 goals for his country. Outside football Jota was a keen and accomplished gamer. He is survived by his wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he married two weeks ago, and their three children, Dinis, Duarte and Laura. His younger brother, André, also a professional footballer, died with him. Guardian
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Diogo Jota's died in car crash: Here's what sports car he was driving
Diogo Jota's death: Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota has tragically passed away in a car accident that took place in the Spanish province of Zamora. The incident occurred around 00:30 BST near the town of Cernadilla on the A-52 highway. Jota, aged 28, was travelling with his younger brother André Silva, 26, when their vehicle veered off the road and caught fire. Sadly, both were declared dead at the scene. What Car Was Diogo Jota Driving? Many fans have been asking, "What car was Diogo Jota driving at the time of the accident?" According to official reports, Diogo Jota was driving a Lamborghini, a high-end luxury sports car known for its speed and powerful performance. The vehicle reportedly suffered a tire blowout while trying to overtake another car. This caused the Lamborghini to lose control, exit the road, and burst into flames shortly after the crash. The fire even spread to nearby vegetation, making rescue efforts more difficult. Emergency Response and Scene Details View this post on Instagram Local authorities, including the Zamora Traffic Police and Fire Brigade, responded quickly to the scene . However, due to the intensity of the flames and the speed of the fire's spread, emergency services could not save Diogo Jota or his brother. The tragic accident has left the football world in mourning, with tributes pouring in from fans, clubs, and fellow players around the globe. Diogo Jota's Football Career and Achievements Diogo Jota had an impressive football career that was cut short too soon. He began playing professionally with Paços de Ferreira in Portugal before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016. Although he didn't make a first-team appearance for the Spanish club, he gained valuable experience during his loan spell at FC Porto. His breakthrough in English football came when he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he quickly gained attention. In 2020, he signed for Liverpool FC, becoming a key figure in their attack under then-manager Jurgen Klopp. In the 2024/25 season, Jota played a crucial role in helping Liverpool win the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot. Jota's versatility on the pitch—whether as a left winger, striker, or attacking midfielder—made him a valuable asset. He made 448 club appearances, scoring 150 goals and delivering 77 assists. International Success With Portugal At the international level, Diogo Jota earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals for the Portugal national team. He was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025, cementing his place among Portugal's footballing elite. Diogo Jota's Net Worth, Family and Personal Life Outside of football, Diogo Jota was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife and three children. At the time of death, Diogo Joto's net worth is estimated to be around $18 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His death has left a huge void not only in the football community but also in the lives of his loved ones. Diogo Jota's car collection According to reports, Dioga has two cars: A Porsche 911 Turbo S valued at $210,000 valued at $210,000 A customised Range Rover Sport worth $120,000 Lamborghini Lifestyle: A Costly Dream? The fact that Diogo Jota was driving a Lamborghini at the time of the accident highlights a trend seen among elite athletes who often drive high-performance cars. While these vehicles are a symbol of success and status, they also carry serious risks, especially when driven at high speeds. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can come with such powerful machines. A Star Gone Too Soon At just 28, Diogo Jota's death has shocked millions. Known for his humble nature, work ethic, and immense talent, he leaves behind a lasting legacy. From his early days in Portugal to reaching the peak of the Premier League and international football, Jota's journey was truly inspiring. May his soul rest in peace, and may his story serve as a reminder of both the beauty and fragility of life. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Diogo Jota's died in car crash: Here's what sports car Liverpool star was driving
Diogo Jota's death: Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota has tragically passed away in a car accident that took place in the Spanish province of Zamora. The incident occurred around 00:30 BST near the town of Cernadilla on the A-52 highway. Jota, aged 28, was travelling with his younger brother André Silva, 26, when their vehicle veered off the road and caught fire. Sadly, both were declared dead at the scene. What Car Was Diogo Jota Driving? Many fans have been asking, "What car was Diogo Jota driving at the time of the accident?" According to official reports, Diogo Jota was driving a Lamborghini, a high-end luxury sports car known for its speed and powerful performance. The vehicle reportedly suffered a tire blowout while trying to overtake another car. This caused the Lamborghini to lose control, exit the road, and burst into flames shortly after the crash. The fire even spread to nearby vegetation, making rescue efforts more difficult. Emergency Response and Scene Details Local authorities, including the Zamora Traffic Police and Fire Brigade, responded quickly to the scene. However, due to the intensity of the flames and the speed of the fire's spread, emergency services could not save Diogo Jota or his brother. The tragic accident has left the football world in mourning, with tributes pouring in from fans, clubs, and fellow players around the globe. Diogo Jota's Football Career and Achievements Diogo Jota had an impressive football career that was cut short too soon. He began playing professionally with Paços de Ferreira in Portugal before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016. Although he didn't make a first-team appearance for the Spanish club, he gained valuable experience during his loan spell at FC Porto. His breakthrough in English football came when he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he quickly gained attention. In 2020, he signed for Liverpool FC, becoming a key figure in their attack under then-manager Jurgen Klopp. In the 2024/25 season, Jota played a crucial role in helping Liverpool win the Premier League title under new manager Arne Slot. Jota's versatility on the pitch—whether as a left winger, striker, or attacking midfielder—made him a valuable asset. He made 448 club appearances, scoring 150 goals and delivering 77 assists. International Success With Portugal At the international level, Diogo Jota earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals for the Portugal national team. He was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again in 2025, cementing his place among Portugal's footballing elite. Diogo Jota's Net Worth, Family and Personal Life Outside of football, Diogo Jota was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife and three children. At the time of death, Diogo Joto's net worth is estimated to be around $18 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His death has left a huge void not only in the football community but also in the lives of his loved ones. Diogo Jota's car collection According to reports, Dioga has two cars: A Porsche 911 Turbo S valued at $210,000 A customised Range Rover Sport worth $120,000 Lamborghini Lifestyle: A Costly Dream? The fact that Diogo Jota was driving a Lamborghini at the time of the accident highlights a trend seen among elite athletes who often drive high-performance cars. While these vehicles are a symbol of success and status, they also carry serious risks, especially when driven at high speeds. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that can come with such powerful machines. A Star Gone Too Soon At just 28, Diogo Jota's death has shocked millions. Known for his humble nature, work ethic, and immense talent, he leaves behind a lasting legacy. From his early days in Portugal to reaching the peak of the Premier League and international football, Jota's journey was truly inspiring. May his soul rest in peace, and may his story serve as a reminder of both the beauty and fragility of life. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
North Wales Chronicle
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Diogo Jota: League-winning Liverpool forward was a dedicated family man
His two young sons and baby daughter, born only in November, were by his side as he celebrated Liverpool's Premier League title win in May. On June 22 he married his girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Portugal, describing it on social media as a 'day we will never forget'. The day before his death, in what would be his final Instagram post, he shared his wedding video with fans. A post shared by Diogo Jota (@diogoj_18) His bride said of the day that her 'dream came true', and that she had said 'yes to forever'. Born in the Portuguese city of Porto in 1996, Jota grew up in Gondomar, and his parents Joaquim and Isabel were still paying for him to play for the local club until the age of 16. He joined Paços de Ferreira's youth setup in 2013 and three years later signed a five-year contract with Atletico Madrid. He was a key player in Wolverhampton Wanderers' promotion to the Premier League after he signed for them on a one-season loan in 2017/18. Jota then joined Wolves permanently in 2018 and impressed in the Premier League over the next two seasons, leading to Liverpool buying him in September 2020 for a fee of more than £40 million. When he joined Jurgen Klopp's league-winning squad, the number 20 became an important part of the team. Jota struggled with injuries at Liverpool, missing 99 games for club and country during his time at Anfield because of muscular problems, a knee ligament tear and calf issues. Playing in the Premier League, and helping Liverpool to the trophy this season, was something he could 'not even dream' of when he was a child, he said. A post shared by Diogo Jota (@diogoj_18) He scored six goals in 26 appearances in the 2024/25 season. Jota told last month: 'It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream. To arrive at this moment was outstanding. 'It's massive. It's something I could not even dream when I was a kid. I wanted to play in the Premier League but I didn't even imagine to win it, I just wanted to be there playing. I knew it was the best league in the world.' As he began to establish himself at the club after sustaining a knee injury in 2020, he also became father to his first son, Dinis. Cardoso moved with him to Liverpool and later took their son to games at Anfield, sporting a 'Dinis 20' shirt. Jota scored 21 goals in all competitions during the 2021-22 season for Liverpool and at the beginning of the following season extended his time at the club by signing a new contract. Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025 Meanwhile, Cardoso, 28, was pregnant with their second child, a son named Duarte. Jota, whose real name is Diogo Silva, chose the surname to distinguish himself from other players of the same name when he began training as a youngster. Cardoso has posted pictures of the 'Cardoso-Silva' family on Instagram, also showing the three beagles they have. He scored 15 goals in the 2023/24 season, despite being struck by injuries once again, suffering a hamstring injury and later having issues in one of his calves. Jota regularly posted images of his family on his Instagram, sharing their sunny holidays and Christmas photoshoots in matching pyjamas. He proposed to Cardoso in 2022 after almost 10 years together. Their daughter was born in November 2024. Jota died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, also a professional footballer, who played for Penafiel. The two men died after the car in which they were travelling crashed in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday. Liverpool said they were 'devastated' at the 'unimaginable loss'.
