Diogo Jota amassed 14 goals in 49 appearances for the Portugal national team.
“It’s not about where we come from, but where we’re going to.”
This poignant sentiment is emblazoned at the entrance of the Gondomar SC academy, accompanied by an image of their esteemed alumnus, Diogo Jota, proudly donning the colors of the club he represented from ages nine to 17.
Adjacent to this, another photograph captures him in the jersey of the Portuguese national team.
This illustrates the remarkable trajectory of Jota’s career.
Since 2022, the academy has been renamed in his honor, becoming the Diogo Jota academy.
These words, spoken by the forward after a brace in a 3-0 victory against Sweden in the 2020 Nations League, encapsulate his essence.
The 28-year-old, who tragically passed away along with his brother Andre Silva on Thursday following a car accident in Spain, spent his formative years in his hometown, playing for a third-tier team. He paid approximately 20 euros monthly for the privilege, often overlooked by larger clubs due to his stature.
Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast.
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He maintained his belief, progressing from Gondomar to Pacos de Ferreira, then Porto, Wolverhampton, and ultimately, Liverpool.
Jota became a beacon of hope and inspiration in his homeland, demonstrating that reaching the pinnacle is attainable even through an unconventional path.
His talent was undeniable.
Early in his career, while gaining recognition at Pacos, former coach Jorge Simao boldly proclaimed Jota as the potential successor to Cristiano Ronaldo.
The player, initially surprised, embraced the sentiment, thinking, ‘If he believes in that, why can’t I?’
Jota distinguished himself as an elite Portuguese footballer who never trained at the renowned academies of Benfica, Sporting, or Porto.
“What distinguished him was his mental fortitude and his ability to overcome adversity – a realization he grasped quickly,” Gilberto Andrade, former Pacos’ youth football coordinator, shared with BBC Sport.
“There are pivotal moments when words and actions from coaches, coordinators, or directors profoundly impact players. While they may not fully comprehend it immediately, it later shapes their behavior, training, and daily lives.
“Jota, to some extent, understood with us what it meant to be a professional player, a good athlete, and a good person. He was an exemplary figure, especially as success often leads players astray due to financial gains.
“However, he remained disciplined, intelligent, and humble, investing wisely, understanding his actions, and helping others. This is the image that should endure.”
Diogo Jota: A Tribute
Remembering Diogo Jota
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Archive: How Jota overcame challenges to play football
Jota navigated a longer route, but always maintained a clear vision of his destination.
This became evident to Andrade when Jota requested language lessons, stating, “I want to learn a foreign language. Someday, I might play abroad, and I have to be ready.”
The young man from Gondomar, having spent considerable time outside the purview of Portugal’s elite clubs, recognized that his future might lie beyond his native country.
“He knew precisely where he was going,” recalled Andrade, who also has experience in Italy, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia.
“I provided him with audio language courses, but he soon realized they weren’t sufficient and sought a teacher. He recognized the future need for this skill. He was truly exceptional.”
Jota briefly feared his career was in jeopardy when a heart condition was detected during medical evaluations prior to the 2014-15 season.
He was barred from training for nearly a month.
“Do not put the cart before the horse,” he would counsel anyone concerned about his situation.
This reflected his approach to life – taking each day as it came.
Jota quickly established himself as a prominent talent in the Portuguese league but remained grounded.
Despite growing interest from numerous teams, he chose to reside in the club’s dormitory with academy graduates and trialists until his departure from Pacos, being the only first-team player to do so.
“He was always focused on his work, and there was no time for distractions,” added Andrade.
Jota always maintained a clear direction and consistently demonstrated that the journey held greater significance than the starting point.
His journey to becoming a Portuguese hero was inspiring.
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