The summer of 2025 was meant to be a celebration of everything Diogo Jota had accomplished—on the pitch, in life, and love. Fresh off winning the Premier League with Liverpool and the Nations League with Portugal, the 28-year-old had just married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children. He was expected back at Liverpool’s training ground for pre-season, still basking in the glow of the best year of his career.
Instead, the world was shaken to its core when Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash while driving through north-west Spain in the early hours of Thursday, July 3. As details emerged, a collective grief swept across the global soccer community. Tributes poured in from teammates, coaches, fans—and icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, and many more.
Jota’s story, however, was never just about goals or medals. He was loved for his humility, his quiet confidence, and a smile that lit up training grounds from Porto to Merseyside. But soccer was where he told his story best—and it’s a story rich in achievement.
Career that rewrote records
In the heart of Anfield and beyond, Jota left an indelible mark. As his achievements continue to be honored, these are the ten most notable records that defined his all-too-short career:
1. Fastest Premier League Goal by a Liverpool Substitute
In January 2025, Jota came off the bench against Nottingham Forest and scored within 21 seconds—equaling the fastest ever by a Liverpool sub since 2006–07.
2. First Goal of the Arne Slot Era
Jota ushered in Liverpool’s tactical future by scoring the first goal under new manager Arne Slot, symbolizing his role as a bridge between eras.
3. Only Liverpool Player to Score in First Four Home League Games
From the moment he arrived, Jota lit up Anfield. He became the first in club history to score in each of his first four home Premier League appearances.
4. Scorer of Liverpool’s 10,000th Goal
In a Champions League clash against Midtjylland in October 2020, Jota scored what would become a symbolic milestone: the 10,000th goal in Liverpool’s history.
5. One of Few with 10+ Headed, Left, and Right Foot Goals
Only Haaland and Watkins share this elite Premier League stat. Jota’s proficiency across all types of finishes made him one of the league’s most complete forwards.
6. FIFA eSports Champion
Even while sidelined by injury, Jota remained competitive—ranking #1 globally on FIFA 21’s FUT Champions mode and using his 99-rated card to dominate online.
7. Liverpool’s Most Efficient Finisher in Premier League Era
With a 19.3% goal conversion rate, Jota statistically outperformed even club legends like Mohamed Salah and Luis Suarez when it came to Premier League efficiency.
8. Top Five All-Time Liverpool Substitute Goalscorers
His knack for changing games off the bench placed him among Anfield’s elite, surpassing names like Divock Origi and Ryan Babel.
9. Crucial Role in Liverpool’s Unbeaten Home Run
A powerful header against Leicester helped extend Liverpool’s record 64-match unbeaten streak at Anfield, a run etched into Premier League history.
10. 11th Most Expensive Player in Club History
Liverpool’s €44.7m ($52.7m) investment in Jota now feels priceless, given the impact he made across competitions during his five-year spell at the club.
