Diogo Jota 1996-2025: a footballing life in pictures

The Liverpool and Portugal striker has died aged 28 in a car crash in Spain. We take a look at his illustrious career on the pitch

Diogo Jota began his career coming through the youth ranks with Paços de Ferreira in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, scoring 14 goals in 41 appearances. Here, in a 2015 match, he vies for the ball with Benfica’s Nélson Semedo.

Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images

The 19-year-old Diogo Jota earned a big move to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, but was immediately loaned back to his hometown club Porto without making an appearance.

Photograph: JJ Guillen/EPA/Shutterstock

Jota in action for Porto against Marítimo in 2016. He was to spend a successful year on loan at the Estádio do Dragão.

Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images

Jota celebrates a goal against Benfica in November 2016, one of eight scored in 27 appearances for Porto.

Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images

A further loan move took Jota to the then Championship club Wolves. Here he celebrates scoring against Midlands rivals Aston Villa in October 2017.

Photograph: Sam Bagnall/AMA/Getty Images

Jota’s goals in his loan season helped Wolves secure promotion to the Premier League. Here he’s pictured celebrating with Wolves’ contingent of Portuguese players.

Photograph: Sam Bagnall/AMA/Getty Images

Jota signed a permanent deal with Wolves as they began life back in the Premier League. He impressed – including scoring a hat-trick against Leicester in January 2019. Here he celebrates his first.

Photograph: Sam Bagnall/AMA/Getty Images

Jota scores the winner against Manchester United, which took Wolves through to the FA Cup semi-finals in March 2019. His form saw him called up to the Portugal senior squad for the first time.

Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images/Reuters

Jota won his first cap coming on as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Lithuania on 14 November 2019.

Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images

Another successful season for Wolves caught the eye and, in September 2020, Jota signed for Liverpool in a £41m transfer.

Photograph: Andrew Powell/LFC/Getty Images

Diogo Jota celebrates scoring for Liverpool on his debut against Arsenal in September 2020.

Photograph: Jason Cairndruff/EPA

Jota scores one of his three goals against Atalanta in the Champions League in November 2020 during a superb start under Jürgen Klopp.

Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Jota scores for Portugal in a group-stage defeat by Germany at the delayed Euro 2020 tournament in Munich.

Photograph: Matthias Hangst/EPA

Jota scores to cap a 4-1 derby victory for Liverpool against Everton at Goodison Park in December 2021.

Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Jota leaves defenders helpless in rising superbly to score a trademark header in a 2-2 draw at Tottenham in December 2021.

Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Jota finishes deftly to score against Arsenal and take Liverpool through the 2022 League Cup final.

Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Jota scores in the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final first leg match between Portugal and Turkey in Porto on 24 March 2022.

Photograph: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty Images

Jota (bottom left), joins his teammates in celebration after he scored in the penalty shootout to defeat Chelsea in the 2022 League Cup final.

Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images/Reuters

A domestic trophy double was to follow, as Jota scored in another shootout as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the 2022 FA Cup final.

Photograph: Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Jota holds the FA Cup during an open-top bus parade to celebrate Liverpool’s domestic cup double in 2022.

Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Jota suffered an injury-hit 2022-23, showing his emotion as he hit a dramatic injury-time winner against Tottenham in April of that season.

Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Jota celebrates scoring against Burnley in December 2023, a season that saw Liverpool win a further League Cup final.

Photograph: Andrew Powell/LFC/Getty Images

Jota in action for Portugal against Scotland in the Nations League in October 2024.

Photograph: Eric Mccowat/Alamy

Jota poses with the trophy after Portugal defeated Spain in the 2025 Nations League final.

Photograph: Maja Hitij/Uefa/Getty Images

Jota celebrates with Darwin Núñez after scoring against Fulham in December 2024, a season in which Liverpool were to run away with the Premier League.

Photograph: Jon Super/AP

Jota lifts the Premier League trophy at Anfield in May 2025. The crowning glory of his career.

Photograph: LFC/Getty Images

Diogo Jota, 1996-2025.

Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA