Portugal carry Diogo Jota's memory into World Cup clash with Croatia

One year after the death of Diogo Jota in a car accident, Portugal's national team carries his memory into the World Cup round of 16 match against Croatia on Thursday evening in Toronto. The 28-year-old Liverpool forward died on 3 July 2025, 11 days after marrying his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. His brother Andre Silva was also killed in the crash.

Ruben Neves still messages Jota on WhatsApp

Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves, who wears Jota's number 21 shirt at the World Cup, revealed in an interview with Portuguese TV show Alta Definicao that he continues to communicate with his late friend through WhatsApp. "Few people know this," Neves said. "We have a WhatsApp group with Rute and Diogo, and it's still there, and we continue to talk there. Whenever something special happens, I have the conversations archived on my WhatsApp so I can continue to send him messages."

Neves and Jota were close friends and former teammates at Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the Portuguese national team.

Circumstances of the accident

Jota was driving a Lamborghini back to Liverpool for pre-season when the car left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. He was traveling by car and ferry because doctors had advised him against flying after he underwent minor surgery. Two months earlier, Jota had celebrated winning the Premier League title with Liverpool.

Emotional tribute and motivation

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez named Jota as an honorary 'plus-one' player when he announced his squad in May. "Diogo is our sun and our light," Martinez said. "We want to win the World Cup for him."

Before matches, a black-and-white picture of Jota celebrating a goal for Portugal is displayed on big screens as the national anthem plays. Players, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo, wear special wristbands in Portugal's green and red colors during matches. The wristbands, a gift from Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, carry the names of all squad members alongside Jota's name.

"The story of the wristband is, when we went to meet with the prime minister, he offered us this wristband," said midfielder Vitinha. "They made sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch."

Jota's legacy and impact

Jota scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal. He became a symbol of hope and inspiration after rising from his hometown club Gondomar to Pacos de Ferreira, Porto, Wolverhampton, and finally Liverpool. His path was notable as a rare case of an elite Portuguese footballer who never spent time at the academies of Benfica, Sporting, or Porto.

Just a month before his death, Jota helped Portugal win the Nations League by defeating Spain in Stuttgart. He wrote on social media afterward: "With you by our side, everything is possible. Thank you, Portugal!"

Fans have attended Portugal's matches wearing shirts with Jota's name on the back. Miguel de Silva, owner of the Amigos da Dundas sports bar in Toronto's Little Portugal neighborhood, said: "Diogo was a player deeply loved by the Portuguese people. I think what he brings to the Portuguese players will be something special. Just one more reason for them to win the match [against Croatia]."

The match against Croatia on Thursday evening (00:00 BST Friday) will determine a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Thousands of Portugal fans have traveled to Toronto for the game, which promises to be a highly emotional occasion for the team and its supporters.