Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez, says his team is determined to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup in honour of Diogo Jota as the first anniversary of the forward’s death approaches.
Portugal face Croatia in Toronto on Thursday evening for a place in the Round of 16, with the emotional occasion coming almost one year after Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car accident in Spain on 3 July 2025.
Martinez said the memory of the former Liverpool forward continues to inspire the squad.
“Diogo is our sun and our light. We want to win the World Cup for him,” Martinez said.
I still talk to him — Neves
Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves revealed he still communicates with Jota through a WhatsApp group that includes Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso.
“I still talk to him,” Neves said of his close friend and former Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal team-mate.
“Few people know this. 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.”
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Jota died while travelling back to Liverpool for pre-season after doctors advised him against flying following minor surgery. His vehicle reportedly left the road after a tyre blowout while overtaking another car.
Emotional tribute at the World Cup
Portugal have honoured Jota throughout the tournament.
His image has appeared on stadium screens before matches, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates have worn special wristbands in Portugal’s colours bearing the names of every squad member alongside Jota’s.
Midfielder Vitinha explained that the wristbands were presented to the team by Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
“The story of the wristband is, when we went to meet with the prime minister, he offered us this wristband,” Vitinha said.
“They made sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifics for us to be able to enter the pitch with it, with the name of all the players plus the special name of Diogo Jota.”
Jota’s parents, Joaquim and Isabel, were guests during Portugal’s opening World Cup match against DR Congo in Houston, where the team paid tribute to both Jota and his brother.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino later wrote on social media that representing Portugal at the tournament had been “a dream Diogo nurtured with everyone who loved him.”
Jota’s legacy continues
Jota remains one of Portugal’s most admired footballers after rising from hometown club Gondomar to Paços de Ferreira before spells with Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool.
Unlike many Portuguese internationals, he did not come through the academies of Benfica, Sporting CP or Porto.
He scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal and helped the national team win the UEFA Nations League shortly before his death.
Neves, who helped carry Jota’s coffin at his funeral in Gondomar despite travelling from the United States after playing for Al Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup, has since had a tattoo depicting the pair embracing in Portugal colours.
“I and the entire national team will do everything we can to keep Diogo here with us, on our team,” Neves said.
“The day after the news, for me, is the most difficult day of my life. The most important aspect for me to be able to play was wanting to play for Diogo first.”
Martinez expressed belief that Jota’s presence continues to guide the team.
“Diogo’s dream is still with us, and he sets the standards; he sets the light for the direction of this group,” the Portugal coach said.
“Every day is difficult. When we are training, there are always moments when Diogo comes back into our memory.
“I think the anniversary is just a moment that makes this game, Croatia, Diogo Jota’s game. Diogo will always be with us.”
