Tributes were paid to Diogo Jota when two of the clubs he represented in Liverpool and Wolves met at Anfield, with his sons joining the mascots pre-match
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
09:43, 27 Dec 2025Updated 15:40, 27 Dec 2025
Diogo Jota's commitment to being the finest father possible to his three children was evident when the Liverpool star spoke candidly about his family life. More than five months have passed since Jota's tragic death in a car crash alongside his younger brother Andre Silva, news that sent shockwaves through the sporting community and far beyond.
The Portuguese forward's legacy remains strong following his untimely passing. Liverpool supporters have made it their mission to keep his memory alive by belting out his chant during the 20th minute - matching his shirt number - at every match.
Beyond being an exceptional player who consistently delivered crucial goals when it mattered most, Jota was devoted to his family - a loving husband and father to three young children. Those closest to him were acutely aware of how much his family meant to him.
It was during Liverpool's triumphant Premier League title-winning season last year that Jota revealed how he juggled pressure and strived to remain an engaged and devoted father when returning home from his demanding role as a top-level footballer.
In conversation with Liverpool's performance psychologist Lee Richardson before his daughter's arrival, Jota explained his wish to be the best dad possible. He said: "When I go home I still have a family, I have two kids – three almost – and the dogs and the stress doesn't stop.
"You want to be the best father you can be, try to lead by example, give good feedback. Even though sometimes you want to get a bit more rest in the afternoon, they are all happy because you are finally at home and they want to play.
"I had this the day after the game, I wanted to get a bit of rest, [my son] wanted to play some football – and you need to be on it." An emotional reunion is set this afternoon as Liverpool and Wolves, his two Premier League clubs, face off at Anfield for the first time since his passing.
Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, watched on as their sons, Dinis and Duarte, served as mascots on Saturday afternoon. Wolves honoured the late striker with his ex-international team-mate Jose Sa, head coach Rob Edwards and chairman Nathan Shi laying flowers at his memorial outside Anfield on Friday evening.
In his pre-match column, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk confessed that the team is still grappling with the loss of Jota, reflecting on a year marked by both triumph and tragedy in 2025. He penned: "Saturday marks our last fixture of 2025 and when I reflect back on the year there have been a wide range of emotions for everybody at the club.
"There have been some incredible highs, of course. To become Premier League champions, as we did back in April, was incredible. Lifting that trophy in front of you guys at Anfield is a memory that I will never forget, I can assure you.
"It was a real team effort and a deserved reward for a season of hard work, on and off the pitch. Soon after that, though, came the most devastating of lows. The loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in July was something none of us could ever have prepared for, and something all of us are still coming to terms with.
"Our thoughts, as ever, remain with Diogo and Andre's family. They will never, ever be forgotten, and we will carry their memory always."
Van Dijk posed for photos with Jota's children prior to kick-off while Anfield paid another touching tribute to their fallen hero.
Join our LFC WhatsApp community and get all the latest LFC news, views, transfer gossip and more, as it happens We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.