Diogo Jota rose from humble beginnings in Portugal to become one of Europe’s most exciting footballers, earning millions along the way.
Known for his sharp finishing and relentless work rate, Jota built a fortune through top-tier contracts with clubs like Liverpool and Wolves, along with major endorsement deals and esports ventures.
At the time of his tragic death in 2025, his net worth stood at an estimated $18 million. This article explores how Jota earned, managed, and expanded his wealth both on and off the pitch.
Jota then made his Premier League debut for Liverpool, scoring in a 3–1 win against Arsenal. In October, he scored the winning goal against Sheffield United. [Photo: Courtesy]
Diogo Jota Net Worth
Diogo Jota, a Portuguese professional footballer, had a net worth of $18 million when he died. He passed away in a car accident on July 3, 2025, in Cernadilla, Spain, at the age of 28. His brother also died in the crash.
Jota was a fast and versatile forward. He stood out for his sharp finishing, high pressing, and ability to play in different attacking roles. He started his career at Paços de Ferreira before joining Atlético Madrid in 2016.
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Though signed by the Spanish club, he never played a game for them. Instead, he went on loan to FC Porto and later Wolverhampton Wanderers. At Wolves, Jota made a big impact. He helped the club earn promotion to the Premier League by scoring 17 goals in the 2017–18 Championship season.
In 2020, Liverpool signed him for a reported £41 million. He quickly became a key player under Jürgen Klopp. Over five seasons, he scored 65 goals in 182 matches. He played a major role in Liverpool’s success, helping them win the 2024–25 Premier League title, two EFL Cups, and the FA Cup.
For Portugal, Jota earned 49 international caps and scored 14 goals. He was vital in their UEFA Nations League wins in 2019 and 2025.
Jota’s game relied on speed, dribbling, and smart movement. He fit perfectly into Klopp’s pressing system and could play as a winger or central striker. His strong work ethic and willingness to adapt made him stand out.
Jota joined the youth team of Paços de Ferreira in 2013. At the start of the 2014–15 season, the club promoted him to the senior squad.
He made his professional debut in a 4–0 home win against Atlético de Reguengos. In early 2015, he played his first Primeira Liga match, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw with Vitória de Guimarães.
A few months later, Jota signed a new five-year deal with Paços de Ferreira, securing his future with the club.
Atlético Madrid and FC Porto
In March 2016, Diogo Jota signed a five-year contract with Spanish club Atlético Madrid. However, he didn’t get the chance to play for them right away. In August that year, he returned to Portugal on a one-year loan to FC Porto.
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At Porto, Jota made an instant impact. In October, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Nacional. He also featured in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League, where he scored his first goal in the competition during a 5–0 win against Leicester City.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
In the summer of 2017, Jota moved to English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 win over Hull City.
By early 2018, reports confirmed that Jota had agreed to a permanent deal with Wolves. He went on to have a standout season, scoring 17 league goals and helping the team earn promotion to the Premier League.
Jota made his Premier League debut in a 2–2 draw with Everton. He soon scored his first goal in the top flight in a 2–1 win against Chelsea. In early 2019, he netted a hat-trick in a thrilling 4–3 win over Leicester City.
A few months later, he scored the winning goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup, sending Wolves to their first semi-final in the competition since 1997–98.
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The 2019–20 season was Jota’s last with Wolves. In July, he scored against the Crusaders in the Europa League, marking the club’s first European goal since 1980. He later came off the bench to score a hat-trick in the group stage and added another hat-trick in the round of 32.
Jota made his final appearance for Wolves as a second-half substitute in the Europa League quarterfinal against Sevilla.
Diogo Jota Stint at Liverpool
In September 2020, Diogo Jota signed with Liverpool. He made his debut shortly after in the EFL Cup, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 7–2 win over Lincoln City.
Jota then made his Premier League debut for Liverpool, scoring in a 3–1 win against Arsenal. In October, he scored the winning goal against Sheffield United. Just three days later, he netted Liverpool’s 10,000th goal in all competitions.
In November, Jota hit a hat-trick in a 5–0 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League. His momentum was cut short in December when he suffered a leg injury during another Champions League match.
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The injury sidelined him for three months. Still, he finished his first season with nine league goals, helping Liverpool secure a third-place finish in the league.
In the 2021–22 season, Jota opened Liverpool’s Premier League campaign by scoring in a 3–0 win over Norwich City. He later found the net in big games, including a 5–0 win over Manchester United and a 2–0 victory against Atlético Madrid.
In November, he scored again in a 4–0 win over Arsenal. He continued his scoring streak with goals against Southampton, Everton, and Newcastle. Early in 2022, Jota scored both goals in a 2–0 win over Arsenal during the League Cup semifinals.
In the final against Chelsea, he played a role in helping Liverpool win their first League Cup in ten years.
International Playing Career
Jota started his international career with Portugal’s under-19 team. In May 2015, he scored his first goal in a 6–1 win over Turkey. That same year, he made his under-21 debut in a 3–0 victory against Israel.
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In March 2019, Jota received his first senior call-up. He was part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League in June, though he didn’t play in the matches. He finally made his senior debut in November, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6–0 win over Lithuania during a Euro qualifier.
In 2020, he scored his first senior international goal in a 4–1 win over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Jota featured in all of Portugal’s matches at the postponed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, which ended with a round of 16 loss to Belgium.
At the time of his death, Diogo Jota had an estimated net worth of $18 million. He built his fortune through high-paying contracts with clubs like Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. [Photo: Courtesy]
Personal Life
After years of being together, Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, on June 22. The couple held a private wedding ceremony in Porto.
They had three children together and kept much of their family life out of the public eye.
Tragically, just days after the wedding, Jota died in a car accident on July 3, 2025. He was 28 years old. The crash happened in Cernadilla, Spain, and also claimed the life of his brother.
Diogo Jota Net Worth and Endorsements
At the time of his death, Diogo Jota had an estimated net worth of $18 million. He built his fortune through high-paying contracts with clubs like Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His earnings also came from endorsement deals and ventures outside football.
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While at Liverpool, Jota reportedly earned a weekly salary of £140,000 (around $187,000). That added up to an annual base salary of about £7.3 million ($9 million), not including bonuses. Over his career, his total income from salaries, signing fees, and bonuses likely exceeded £40 million ($50 million).
Jota also earned significant income through endorsements. His popularity on and off the pitch made him attractive to major brands. These deals brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
He partnered with major companies like:
Nike
EA Sports
In addition, Jota had a strong presence in the esports world. He created his own team, Diogo Jota eSports, and competed in various gaming tournaments. His work in esports reportedly brought in another $3 million through winnings, sponsorships, and investments.
Jota’s smart financial choices, strong brand, and diverse ventures made him one of the wealthier Portuguese athletes of his generation.
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