Before tragedy struck, Diogo Jota was quietly planning a return home.
The 28-year-old forward, who rose from Gondomar to global acclaim, had begun laying the groundwork for a transfer back to FC Porto. It would have marked a full-circle moment in a career that took him from northern Portugal to Premier League glory. According to Porto club president André Villas-Boas, the move was set for the 2026–27 season, when Jota’s contract at Liverpool was nearing its end.
“We were working with Jorge Mendes on Diogo Jota’s return to FC Porto,” Villas-Boas said. “It would have been for the 2026–27 season. I made a point of conveying that message to Diogo, through Jorge Mendes, at his wedding. It was a dream for all Porto fans that it had happened.”
That dream was cut short on July 3, when Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, lost their lives in a car accident near Valladolid, Spain. Their passing left deep sorrow, especially in Porto, where both brothers had roots—Jota having played a season on loan in 2016–17, and Silva having come through the club’s youth system. They were later laid to rest in Gondomar, the town that shaped their beginnings.
In an emotional gesture, Villas-Boas confirmed that the club posthumously granted both Jota and Silva official FC Porto memberships. Jota, who had remained connected to the club through its esports project, was remembered as “a silent hero,” someone who carried Porto’s values with him, even from afar.
“They were much loved,” Villas-Boas said at the funeral. “We’ve come to pay our respects to the family. Diogo, especially as the greatest public figure, was a silent hero. We all appreciated him for everything he stood for, not only on the pitch but also off it.”
Had the plan materialized, Jota would have returned not just as a player, but as a prodigal son. Though his formative football years were spent at Gondomar and Paços de Ferreira, his time at Porto—brief as it was—left a lasting mark. He scored nine goals in all competitions during that 2016–17 campaign and often spoke fondly of the club and its supporters. For Villas-Boas and Porto fans, bringing Jota home was not merely a strategic move. It was a mission grounded in pride and emotion.
It also wasn’t the only path available to him. In the weeks before his death, Jota was attracting interest from multiple clubs. Newcastle United were reportedly monitoring him closely, and Saudi Arabian sides had shown serious intent. Liverpool, who had just lifted the Premier League title, were said to be open to offers in the region of $55 million. Though Jota wasn’t a guaranteed starter under new manager Arne Slot, he remained a vital contributor and a well-loved figure in the dressing room.
News of his passing reverberated across the football world. Liverpool teammates like Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai offered heartfelt tributes. Flags were flown at half-mast at Anfield and Estádio do Dragão. Supporters from Porto to Merseyside remembered him not just for his goals, but for his humility, his love for the game, and the promise of a homecoming that will now remain a story never told.
In Villas-Boas’ words, it was a dream. Now, it’s a memory.
