Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, has confirmed that the club's owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), will fulfill the remaining two years of Diogo Jota's contract by paying his family in full. This decision comes after the tragic death of the 28-year-old Portuguese striker, who passed away in a car accident on July 3, 2025, along with his brother, Andre Silva. The accident occurred just 11 days after Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso. Jota is survived by his wife and three children.
Slot revealed this gesture in an interview with TNT Sports, expressing his pride in the way the fans and the ownership reacted to the tragedy. He acknowledged that while owners often face criticism, FSG's handling of the situation was exceptional. Slot stated, "Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way they've handled this situation by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract is – maybe people think it's normal, but it is not in football".
Jota's contract with Liverpool was set to run until the end of the 2026-27 season. Reports suggest his contract was worth around £140,000 a week. It is estimated that Liverpool will pay out approximately £14.5 million to Jota's family. Diogo Jota had signed a 5-year, $46,800,000 contract with Liverpool F.C., including an average annual salary of $9,360,000.
The news of Jota's death prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from the football community. Liverpool has taken several steps to honor his memory. The club has retired Jota's No. 20 shirt across all levels. Additionally, Liverpool commissioned a memorial sculpture at Anfield, crafted from recycled items from the tributes left by supporters at the stadium.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and quickly became an integral part of the team. During his five seasons with the club, he made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals. He was admired for his skills, work ethic, and humble personality. Liverpool's chairman, Tom Werner, described Jota as "extraordinarily popular in the dressing room," highlighting his love for gaming, resilience, and willingness to contribute in any role for the team's benefit.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot provided an update on Giovanni Leoni's injury. The young defender suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during his debut in a Carabao Cup match against Southampton. Slot confirmed that Leoni will be sidelined for approximately a year. Slot also mentioned that Alexander Isak is regaining fitness but might not be ready to play a full 90 minutes yet. Regarding Hugo Ekitike's red card in the midweek game, Slot stated that while it wasn't smart, Ekitike apologized to his teammates, and mistakes are allowed without immediate fines.
