Tributes were paid to Diogo Jota when the two clubs he represented, Liverpool and Wolves, played against each other at Anfield, with his sons joining the pre-match mascots.
Diogo Jota’s determination to remain the best father possible to his three children was clear as the Liverpool star opened up about his family life. It has been more than five months since Jota tragically died in a car accident along with his brother Andre Silva, and the news has shocked the sporting world and beyond.
Even after the Portuguese forward’s untimely death, his legacy remains strong. Liverpool supporters have made it their mission to keep his memory alive by chanting his shirt number in the 20th minute of every game.
As well as being an extraordinary player who continued to score decisive goals when it mattered most, Jota was also a family man, a loving husband and father of three young children. Those closest to him were acutely aware of how much his family meant to him.
It was during last year’s triumphant season, when Liverpool won the Premier League title, that Jota revealed how he fought through the pressure and strived to remain a devoted and dedicated father upon returning home after a demanding role as a top-flight footballer.
In a conversation with Liverpool performance psychologist Lee Richardson before his daughter’s arrival, Jota explained his desire to be the best father possible. He said, “When I get home, I still have a family, two children, soon to be three, but I can’t stop stressing about the dog.
read more: Virgil van Dijk’s heartbreaking confession about the impact of Diogo Jota’s tragic deathread more: James Milner sends emotional message to Diogo Jota after returning to Liverpool
“You want to be the best father you can be. Try to lead by example and give good feedback. Sometimes you’ll want a little more rest in the afternoon, but they’re all happy that you’re finally home and want to play.”
“I had this the day after the game. I wanted to rest a bit and[my son]wanted to play football, but you have to work on it.” An emotional reunion is planned this afternoon as his two Premier League clubs, Liverpool and Wolves, play at Anfield for the first time since his death.
Jota’s wife, Lute Cardoso, watched on Saturday afternoon as her sons Dinis and Duarte served as mascots. Wolves paid tribute to their late striker on Friday night, along with former international team-mate Jose Sa, head coach Rob Edwards and chairman Nathan Sea, by laying flowers at his monument on the outskirts of Anfield.
In his pre-match column, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reflected on a 2025 that saw both triumphs and tragedies, and admitted that the team is still grappling with the loss of Jota: “Saturday will be the last game of 2025, and looking back on the year there have been mixed emotions for everyone at the club.”
“Of course, there were some incredible highs. To be crowned Premier League champions, as we did in April, was incredible. Lifting the trophy in front of everyone at Anfield was definitely a memory I’ll never forget.”
“This was a real team effort and a well-deserved reward for a season’s hard work on and off the pitch. But soon after that came the most devastating downturn. The loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July was something none of us could have ever prepared for and is a situation we are all still trying to come to terms with.”
“Our thoughts, as always, are with the families of Diogo and Andre. They will never, ever be forgotten and we will always carry their memory.”
Van Dijk posed for a photo with Jota’s children before kick-off and Anfield paid a touching tribute to their fallen hero.
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