Liverpool’s new signing Diogo Jose Texiera da Silva ‘Jota’ is an exciting Portuguese player who plays on the Left wing but has the versatility and ability to play across the CF and sometimes even on the false 9 role. The ex-Wolves and Porto Man is better known for his ability to head the ball and physical play with the Portuguese also able to operate and link the attack in the final third of the pitch.
He has played an important part of the Portuguese National Side in the UEFA Nations League and is sometimes called as the ‘Man of Many Firsts’ because of the many purple patch displays on the pitch. The Winger has settled in an adaptive role at Anfield very quickly with outstanding displays both in the Premier League and the Champions League. He scored an amazing Champions League hat trick away to last season’s UEFA Champions League Quarter Finalists Atalanta BC to announce himself on the big stage. Here are some of the unknown Facts about the Portuguese Starlet:
1. Diogo ‘Jota’ Jose Texiera Da Silva
Diogo was born in a football loving family to his mother Isabelle Silva and Joaquim Silva on 4th December, 1996 in Massarelos, Porto, Portugal. The City is a football wannabee city and the Diogo became inclined from a very young age along with his brother Andre Silva in the University town of Massarelos. ‘Jota’ is just his nickname and the way he is popularly called as. He loved the beautiful game with Portuguese culture dominating proceedings with many of his cousins and friends having an avid interest in following the game.
2. Outstanding Youth Career
‘Jota’ was as old as 9 years when he appeared for trials at a local club, Gondomar SC (a small club in the vicinity of FC Porto), and was quickly an important part of the Gonodomar’s youth side. He quickly moved up the ranks and began a spiral of playing against players much senior and older than him.
His performances showed the Portuguese starlet had a knack of holding the ball in the final third and linking up to both set up goals and finish moves. After several years at Gondomar, the winger-forward moved to another Porto based club FC Pacos de Ferreira, club known for developing in 2013.
After initially plying his trade in the youth setup of Pacos Ferriera, he was promoted to the first team for the 14-15 campaign, touted as his breakthrough season for the then Portuguese prodigy. He scored 14 goals and provided a series of 10 assists for Pacos Ferriera in the 15-16 season which helped him win the award for the best Young Player in the Portuguese top flight. Shortly later, his amazing performances earned him a move to Atletico Madrid, who loaned to FC Porto and then to Wolves under Nuno Espirito Santo.
3. Best Friends with Ruben Neves!
Diogo spent one year of his professional career on loan to FC Porto, where he became close friends with midfielder Ruben Neves. He linked up with Neves again in 17-18 English Championship Season with Wolves. He played closely with the technically fluid Neves and later developed a bond with the compatriot. The two became really close friends and have been sighted hanging out multiple times at Portuguese restaurants around the English city of Wolverhampton. The two were typically inseparable, be it the dressing room or in after football hours around the City. One could catch both of them in the City’s local eatery, Aromas De Portugal. The duo love playing a competitive game of Cricket or tennis.
4. Integral part of ‘Mission Redevelopment’ at Wolves
Diogo chose the much risky move to transfer to English football before the start of the 17-18 campaign to join mission ‘Nuno Revolution’ at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Wolves team had a total of 7 Portuguese players working under ex-UEFA Champions League winner Nuno Esipirto Santo. The move was heavily criticized by smaller famed journalists who said that it was a move ‘too early’ for the Portuguese youngster. The then number 18, left his critics appalled by a string of Purple patched displays in a quite sensational season where he scored 17 goals. The club were promoted to the Premier League and Jota made his Loan move from Atletico permanent.
5. ‘Jota” is Illegal!
The ascendancy to the Premier League for Wolves, meant Diogo had to change the name on the back to “Diogo J” as the Premier doesn’t allow for nicknames on the back of the shirt. The winger also sports a Liverpool Jersey with “Diogo J” in the back on the signing day as well as matchdays. The winger wears the number 20 as popular with strikers because of Robin Van Persie and current Manchester united Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
6. Represented by ‘Super Agent Jorge Mendes’
Diogo Jota is represented by Polaris Sports and Agent Jorge Mendes, often called as football’s Super Agent. He represents some of Football’s most exciting names in Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho and James Rodriguez. Jota really trusts Mendes with his career off the pitch and has been quoted saying “Jorge is like my right arm”. Mendes has always been mentioned for pushing young players to fame and ambitious roles and clubs and Diogo is simply one such example with the others being Atleti wonder-kid Joao Felix and David De Gea.
7. Glamourous WAG – Rute Cardoso
Diogo Jota is dating Rute Cardoso (in-picture), who was seen on Signing Day with the Reds this season. Rute and Diogo attended the same school back in his hometown of Porto. The two have been childhood sweethearts and the two have been seen going on holidays on more than one occasions. Rute has moved with Diogo since his 17-18 move to England and has been with him through all the ups and downs. The two announced that they are expecting a child before Jota’s move to Anfield became official. The two also have a Dog named Luna together.
8. The Man of “Many Firsts”
Diogo Jota was the first player to score a brace in a match for any club since Cristiano Ronaldo when he scored a couple for Pacos Ferriera in a Premiera Liga match. He was also the youngest Portuguese to score in the FC Porto shirt in the 5-0 UEFA Champions League demolition of Leicester City. He also became the first Wolves player to Score a Premier League hat trick when he netted thrice again against Leicester City. Since the start of last season Diogo has scored three hat tricks in European Competitions, a feat achieved by no other player.
9. Winner of the e-Premier League Title 19-20
Diogo Jota won the EPL title last season when all clubs nominated one player to play for the inaugural FIFA 20 ePremier League Championship. Jota, representing Wolves, beat current team mate Trent Alexander Arnold in a big ending-Golden Goal decider. The Liverpool Right back was seen fuming after the nail biting finish to the invitational tournament, ended in favour of the then Wolves Man. The duo have been seen to be engaged in some friendly banter in Liverpool’s training sessions on the this topic. It remains to be seen as to who will represent Liverpool in the tournament this season.
10. Transfer to Liverpool and 10000th Goal!
Diogo had a pretty successful spell under Nuno Espirito Santo at the Mollineux Stadium since the 17-18 season. He formed a formidable frontline with striker Raul Jimenez with close friend Ruben Neves forming a supply line. Liverpool were in the hunt of a striker-cum-winger and Jota was only 2nd or 3rd in their wish list. Liverpool had their targets set out in Watford’s Ismailla Sarr and were also narrowly linked to Borrussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
The links to Sarr did not materialise as Watford were not ready to negotiate on a hefty “50M Pounds plus” price tag. Liverpool quickly moved for their alternative in Diogo Jota soon after they confirmed the transfer of Spaniard Thiago Alcantara. The Portuguese signed for the Reds in a rumoured 45M Euros transfer. Jota has quickly moved to settle in his roleat the club and has already scored 7 goals in 10 games. He even scored the clubs 10000th goal in all competitions when he netted Liverpool’s opener against Fc Midtjylland in the UEFA Champions League.
11. Market Value and Personal Life
The Winger has a current Market Value of around 40M Pounds following a successful career at Wolves. He endorses Adidas and has been seen a couple of times alongside Iker Casilas for a promotional events on the Adidas Predator Brand. He has no tattoos on his body and enjoys some alone time with his family. He likes taking trips to famous holiday destinations across Europe from time to time. The clinical finisher earns approximately 68000 Pounds a week at Liverpool. He has earned himself approximately 120 Pounds till the time you have read this article!
