The English club will pay the remaining two years of Diogo Jota’s contract following his tragic death in a road accident.
The sudden news of Jota’s passing struck the football world like a powerful storm, hitting especially hard for his family, national team, and club teammates. Many close friends and teammates, including Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves, and Virgil van Dijk, were present at his farewell.
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp and several others also attended. In a commendable gesture, Liverpool has decided to honor Jota’s contract, which was valid until 2027 at Anfield. Though the Portuguese forward has left this world, Liverpool will continue the contract and pay his family the salary for the next two years, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Jota died in a horrific car accident near Zamora province in Spain late Wednesday night local time. The 28-year-old forward was traveling with his younger brother André Silva, who also tragically died; Silva was himself a professional footballer.
It is believed they were returning to Liverpool to join the team for pre-season preparations and were about to board a ferry when the accident occurred. Jota had recently undergone a minor surgery and was advised by doctors not to fly.
Spanish police investigating the crash said evidence suggests that while overtaking another vehicle, a tire on Jota’s car may have burst, causing it to veer off the road and catch fire.
The funeral for the brothers took place Saturday in Gondomar, near Porto. A large group from Liverpool’s staff, players, and coaches was present, alongside many members of the Portuguese national team and hundreds of fans.
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and was a key contributor to Liverpool’s Premier League title last season. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions.
He earned 49 caps for Portugal and was part of two UEFA Nations League-winning squads. Jota married long-time partner Ruth on June 22. The couple had three children: two sons aged four and two, and a seven-month-old daughter.
Liverpool’s decision to honor Jota’s contract and continue paying his family for the next two years is widely praised as a deeply respectful gesture.
Additionally, Mundo Deportivo reports that Liverpool plans to retire the number 20 jersey, which Jota wore, as a tribute.
