DIOGO JOTA won every major honour in English football with Liverpool before a car crash cruelly cut short his life.

But the pain of Jota’s death will also be felt particularly hard at Wolves, where he played a key role in the club’s transformation, as well as in his native Portugal.

Diogo Jota tragically died alongside his brother in a car crash in SpainCredit: Rex

Jota married long-term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22Credit: fk.felippekatia

Jota and Rute have three young 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥renCredit: fk.felippekatia

Jota and Rute were together for 12 yearsCredit: Instagram: Rute Cardoso

They were 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood sweethearts and met during high schoolCredit: Instagram: Rute Cardoso

Rute regularly shared updates from their happy life together with their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥renCredit: Instagram: Rute Cardoso

Rute always supported Jota from the standsCredit: Instagram: Rute Cardoso

Jota’s brother Andre, pictured together in their younger days at Porto, also died in the crashCredit: FC Porto

The versatile forward was part of the squad that won a second Nations League title last month.

Jota’s sudden death at the age of 28, along with brother and fellow footballer Andre in an horrific accident, is heartbreaking.

Because Jota was not only a highly gifted footballer, he was also one of the good guys.

An intelligent, thoughtful man, who spoke English better than some natives and who dedicated himself to his family and his career.

In the last fortnight, Jota had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.

They were heartbreakingly pictured with their two young sons, Dinis and Duarte, and 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 daughter, whose name is unknown, at the wedding.

Jota and Rute were 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood sweethearts having been together for 12 years since meeting in high school.

The couple had posted scenes from their wedding day just hours before Jota’s tragic crash, calling it a “day we will never forget.”

After tying the knot in a church in Porto, Jota said: “I’m the lucky one.”

Rute’s social media shows pictures of the couple growing up together, with Jota going from teenager to globally-renowned sports star.

The location on the A-52 in Zamora, Spain where Jota and his brother diedCredit: PA

In helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last season, Jota completed the full set of domestic trophies after the Reds lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in 2021/22.

Although injury and competition for places restricted Jota’s contribution, he still scored key goals as Arne Slot’s side claimed a record-equalling 20th English championship.

What turned out to be the last of his 65 strikes for the Reds was the only goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in April.

It was typical Jota. While Everton defenders hesitated, the small but strong Portuguese forward bustled on to the ball, beat two men and buried the ball in the net.

Jota had bumps in the road before reaching the top of the game with Liverpool and Portugal.

After making his debut for Pacos de Ferreira at the age of 17, he moved to Atletico Madrid at 19.

Jota won the Premier League with Liverpool last seasonCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Jota also recently won the Uefa Nations League with PortugalCredit: Getty

Team-mates and fans have been left devastated by the newsCredit: PA

But he soon went on loan to Porto, where he did well enough to attract the attention of ambitious Wolves, who were then in the Championship.

In his first season in England, he scored 17 league goals to fire the club back into the Premier League as champions.

Jota was a popular member of the dressing room which featured a strong Portuguese contingent.

He held his own in the top flight, but there was some surprise when Liverpool signed him in a deal worth up to £45m.

Yet in his five seasons at Anfield, he played an important role in the Reds’ potent front four as the club claimed English honours and went close to European glory.

Jota was not only a highly gifted footballer, he was also one of the good guys. An intelligent, thoughtful man, who spoke English better than some natives and who dedicated himself to his career and family.

Jota scored 21 times as Jurgen Klopp’s side hunted down a Quadruple in 2021/22, winning the domestic cups, taking the title race to the final day and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.

His total of 65 goals in 182 appearances does not tell the full story of his contribution on and off the field. After coming close more than once, it was special for Jota finally to lift the Premier League trophy in May.

For Portugal, Jota was part of a generation that delivered glory.

He was uncapped when selected in the squad for the Nations League final stages on home soil in 2019 and did not feature, making his debut later in the year.

Jota would go on to score 14 in 49 appearances for his country. His last was as an extra-time substitute in last month’s Nations League final against Spain, which Portugal won on penalties.

That triumph was part of what was surely the best year of Jota’s life.

For it to have ended, in such terrible circumstances, is incomprehensible.

Jota’s heartbreaking final post before the accident that took his life was a scene from his weddingCredit: fk.felippekatia

Jota will also be fondly remembered at Wolves where he helped transform the club before joining Liverpool in 2020Credit: Reuters