Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Liverpool Football Club have released a new biography celebrating the life, football career and lasting legacy of their late forward, Diogo Jota, with the club confirming that all its profits from the book will support a grassroots football programme established in his name.
The biography, titled Forever in Our Hearts, offers a personal account of Jota’s journey from his early years in Portugal to his rise as one of Liverpool’s most cherished players. Beyond celebrating his achievements on the pitch, the publication seeks to preserve the memory of a footballer whose life and career were tragically cut short in July 2025.
The initiative reflects Liverpool’s continued efforts to honour Jota’s memory while creating opportunities for young people through football. By directing the profits towards a grassroots programme, the club is seeking to ensure that the late forward’s legacy extends beyond the goals he scored and the trophies he helped win, reaching young players who may one day pursue their own dreams in the sport.
Biography Draws on Memories of Family, Teammates and CoachesWritten by Portuguese author and former professional footballer José Delgado, Forever in Our Hearts brings together recollections from people who knew Jota personally and professionally. The book draws on interviews with family members, friends, teammates and coaches to provide readers with a fuller understanding of the man behind the footballer’s public image.
Among those who contributed their memories are Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, his parents, Isabel and Joaquim, and former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. More than 90 people reportedly contributed to the project, sharing experiences and personal reflections that help tell the story of his life, character and career.
Through these accounts, the biography explores Jota’s determination, humility and commitment to football. It also examines the relationships he built throughout his career and the connection he developed with Liverpool supporters, many of whom came to regard him as one of the club’s most important attacking players.
The publication is intended to preserve these memories for future generations, allowing readers to appreciate not only Jota’s achievements as a professional footballer but also the personal qualities that endeared him to those around him.
From Portugal to Premier League SuccessDiogo José Teixeira da Silva, popularly known as Diogo Jota, was born in Portugal in December 1996. He began his professional career with Paços de Ferreira before attracting attention through his performances and eventually moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016.
Although he did not make a competitive appearance for Atlético, a loan spell at FC Porto gave him further experience before he moved to English football. Jota joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017, initially on loan, and played an important role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League during the 2017–2018 season.
His performances at Wolves established him as a dangerous forward capable of playing across the attacking line. His movement, finishing ability, work rate and willingness to press defenders made him an attractive prospect for clubs seeking a versatile attacker.
Liverpool secured his services in September 2020, bringing him to Anfield during Jürgen Klopp’s tenure as manager. He quickly adapted to the club’s playing style and became an important member of the attacking squad, offering competition and depth alongside some of the team’s established forwards.
During his time at Liverpool, Jota scored important goals in domestic and European competitions. His ability to find space in crowded penalty areas and deliver in decisive moments earned him a reputation as a reliable attacking option.
A Career Marked by Goals, Trophies and Memorable Moments
Jota’s time at Liverpool coincided with several important achievements for the club. He was part of the team that won the FA Cup and League Cup during the 2021–2022 season, while also contributing to Liverpool’s challenge for the Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.
He continued to make significant contributions in subsequent seasons despite injuries that occasionally interrupted his progress. His performances demonstrated the value of a forward who could operate in different attacking positions while maintaining a strong scoring record.
One of the defining moments of his Liverpool career came during the 2024–2025 season, when the club won the Premier League title under manager Arne Slot. Jota contributed to the campaign before tragedy brought his playing career to an abrupt end.
His final goal for Liverpool came in the Merseyside derby against Everton on 2 April 2025. The goal secured a memorable victory at Anfield and became one of the moments supporters would later recall when reflecting on his career.
Jota also represented Portugal at international level, earning recognition for his contributions to the national team. His international career included participation in major competitions and the achievement of winning the UEFA Nations League in 2025.
These accomplishments form an important part of the new biography, which seeks to document the professional journey of a player who reached the highest level of club and international football before his life was tragically cut short.
Tragedy That Shocked the Football WorldJota and his younger brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in Spain on 3 July 2025. Jota was 28 years old, and his death came shortly after he had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso.
The news prompted widespread grief throughout the football community. Liverpool supporters, teammates, former managers, fellow professionals and football organisations across the world expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the brothers.
At Anfield, supporters gathered to leave flowers, shirts, scarves, photographs and handwritten messages in their memory. The spontaneous memorial became a place where people from different backgrounds came together to mourn the loss of two brothers whose lives had touched the football community.
The scale of the response reflected the affection many people had for Jota, both as a footballer and as a person. Tributes highlighted his contribution to Liverpool, his dedication to the game and the personal relationships he maintained with those around him.
The tragedy also deeply affected the club, which has continued to find ways to honour the brothers while supporting their family and preserving their memory.
Liverpool Commits to Preserving Jota’s LegacyThe release of Forever in Our Hearts forms part of Liverpool’s broader efforts to ensure that Jota’s memory remains an enduring part of the club’s history.
Following consultations with his family, Liverpool retired the number 20 shirt across its teams in his honour. The decision means that the number Jota wore during his time at the club will remain permanently associated with his memory.
The club also introduced tributes bearing the words “Forever 20”, allowing players and supporters to remember the forward during the period following his death. These gestures reflected the significance of his contribution to the club and the lasting emotional connection he established with its supporters.
Liverpool has also worked with supporters on initiatives intended to transform the outpouring of grief into lasting memorials. Items left outside Anfield were carefully preserved, with plans developed to recycle some of the materials into a permanent memorial sculpture.
These efforts demonstrate how the club has sought to respond to the tragedy through remembrance, community involvement and practical initiatives that will continue to benefit others.
Profits to Support Grassroots Football
A central feature of the biography’s release is its connection to the grassroots football programme being established in Jota’s name through the LFC Foundation, Liverpool’s official charitable organisation.
According to the club’s announcement, all profits received by Liverpool FC from the book will go towards supporting the programme. The initiative is intended to create opportunities for young people to participate in football and benefit from the wider social and developmental opportunities the game can provide.
Grassroots football plays an important role in introducing children and young people to organised sport. Beyond developing technical ability, local football programmes can encourage teamwork, discipline, confidence, physical activity and a sense of belonging.
By directing proceeds towards a programme bearing Jota’s name, Liverpool is linking the memory of its former forward with opportunities for the next generation. The initiative also offers a way for supporters to participate in the club’s tribute through their purchase of the biography.
The club had previously announced fundraising initiatives connected to Jota’s memory, including commemorative merchandise and shirt printing, with the profits supporting the LFC Foundation’s commitment to establishing a grassroots programme in his honour.
In October 2025, Liverpool reported that supporters had raised £226,995 through earlier tribute initiatives for the programme. Further fundraising efforts, including money generated by a fan-led mural project, subsequently contributed to the fund. The biography represents another part of the continuing effort to turn public support into a lasting community initiative.
Author Says the Book Seeks to Preserve Jota’s Memory
Author José Delgado said the project began as an opportunity to help preserve Jota’s memory during a period of profound sadness. He explained that he approached the work with a commitment to treating Jota, his brother André and their family and friends with care and respect.
Delgado also reflected on the generosity of the people who shared their memories for the biography. Their contributions, he said, would help future generations understand the person Jota was and appreciate the affection people had for both brothers.
The author described the connection between Jota and Liverpool as a particularly striking part of his research. Those who spoke about the player recalled not only his footballing ability but also his humility, commitment and character.
The book therefore seeks to go beyond a conventional account of a football career. By combining professional achievements with personal memories, it aims to provide a portrait of a man whose influence extended beyond the pitch.
For Jota’s family, teammates and supporters, such accounts may offer another way to preserve memories of someone whose life ended unexpectedly at a relatively young age.
A Lasting Tribute Beyond Football
Liverpool’s decision to link the biography to a grassroots football programme gives the publication a purpose that extends beyond commemoration. While the book records Jota’s achievements and the memories of those who knew him, the proceeds are intended to help create opportunities for young people who share a passion for football.
The initiative also reflects the wider role football clubs can play in their communities. Through charitable foundations, youth programmes and local partnerships, clubs can use their resources and influence to support people who might otherwise face barriers to participation in sport.
For Liverpool supporters, the biography offers an opportunity to revisit Jota’s journey and remember the moments that made him a valued member of the team. For young people who benefit from the programme, his name may become associated with opportunities to learn, develop and pursue their ambitions.
The full impact of the programme will depend on its implementation, accessibility and long-term support. Nevertheless, directing the book’s profits towards grassroots football provides a practical way to connect remembrance with community development.
Liverpool Supporters Continue to Remember Their Number 20
The release of Forever in Our Hearts reinforces the enduring connection between Diogo Jota and Liverpool FC. From his arrival at Anfield in 2020 to the goals and trophies that marked his career, the Portuguese forward became an important part of the club’s recent history.
His death, alongside that of his brother André, left a profound sense of loss among family members, teammates and supporters. The tributes that followed demonstrated how deeply the brothers were remembered across the football world.
Through the biography, Liverpool is preserving the stories of those who knew Jota while supporting a programme intended to benefit future generations. The initiative allows his legacy to be remembered not only through past achievements but also through opportunities created for young people.
For a player whose career was defined by determination, important goals and a strong connection with supporters, the book represents another chapter in how Liverpool continues to honour his memory.
Although Jota is no longer on the pitch, his name remains part of the club’s history. With the profits from the biography supporting grassroots football, Liverpool hopes that the legacy of its former number 20 will continue to inspire young players and football communities for years to come.
Source: Liverpool FC’s announcement, reported on 22 October 2026, and the club’s earlier statements on fundraising for the Diogo Jota grassroots football programme.
