The Liverpool supporters quickly praised Diago Jota as being “better than (Luis) Figo,” and the Portuguese champions are now in mourning as a result of his tragic passing on Thursday.
After their car veered off a motorway in northern Spain before going up in flames, the 28-year-old died alongside his younger brother Andre.
Jota, a graduate of the Pacos de Ferreira academy in Porto, established himself as a premier league player for the majority of his professional career.
He never played for the Spanish giants, but his young talent caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, who eventually snapped him up in 2016.
Also available: Reactions to Diogo Jotas Death.
Jota was among the first wave of Portuguese talent to land at then second-tier Wolves after a loan spell at Porto, presumably because of the club’s connections to Jorge Mendes, who had been playing there on loan.
In just three seasons, Jota’s goals helped Wolves move from the top of the league to the Europa League quarter-finals.
Liverpool was attracted to that decision because they paid a £45 million ($62 million) transfer fee for the versatile forward despite the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the economy in 2020.
Jurgen Klopp once referred to Jota as an “exceptional player, exceptional boy.” He “has everything” for a member of Liverpool’s squad.
Jota became the first player to score in their first four home games to earn a profit from Liverpool’s investment in a short amount of time.
Jota’s popularity was highlighted in a chant praising him as a better player than Portugal legend Figo, who played for Real Madrid and Barcelona during his glittering career when people returned to the stands after the pandemic.
He played a significant role in the team that won the League and FA Cup in the year of 2022, only to lose to the Premier League and Champions League in what would have been a record-breaking quadruple.
“Extraordinary person”
Jota made 65 appearances for the Reds overall, with the final one winning the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, drawing Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
However, this is not the first time triumph has been overshadowed in Liverpool’s rich history.
Jota’s final public appearance as a player in Merseyside was taking part in the trophy parade through the city, which will be remembered for the 109 people who were hurt when a car ploughed into the crowds.
Fans began dedicating shirts, scarves, and flowers in tribute to the 97 fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy, which still ensnared the club in a permanent place.
One of the people who expressed their shock over the passing of their international team-mate was Cristiano Ronaldo.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner posted on social media, “It makes no sense.” “Diogo and Andre, rest in peace. We will all miss you dearly.
Ronaldo and Jota were a part of the Portugal team that won the Nations League last month, and they both won 49 caps for their country.
Rute Cardoso, Jota’s mother of his three children, and her long-time partner, Jota wed her less than two weeks later.
According to Portuguese football federation Pedro Proenca, “Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, and someone with an infectious joy and a reference in his community.”
Jota had his own esports team called Luna Esports, which made him well-known for his love of video games.
In the final, he defeated future team-mate Trent Alexander Arnold in a Premier League match that he won in the pandemic.
Liverpool described his passing as an “unimaginable loss” for both a famous player and a newlywed husband and father of three.
