The final season at Liverpool carried Diogo Jota’s memory everywhere, from Anfield tributes to the way his former team-mates spoke about him in public.
Now Portugal are taking that same sense of remembrance into the World Cup, almost a year after the fatal car crash in Spain that took his life at the age of 28.
Jota will not get to live out the tournament dream he often spoke about, but his country have made sure he remains part of the squad’s journey, with a special tribute now confirmed before Portugal’s opening game.
Portugal players to wear Diogo Jota tribute bracelets at World Cup
According to Marca’s report, the Portugal players will wear special bracelets in memory of Jota during the 2026 World Cup.
The bracelets were given to the squad by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro during a motivational meeting before the start of the tournament.
Vitinha has confirmed that the dressing room received the gesture with great affection, and the players then unanimously decided to wear them throughout the competition.
Jota played 49 times for Portugal and scored 14 goals, yet never had the chance to play at a World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament through injury.
The emotional weight around his absence has already been felt beyond Portugal. The BBC detailed Andy Robertson’s tribute after Scotland qualified, with Jota’s former Liverpool team-mate speaking about carrying him in his heart at the tournament.
Portugal also included Jota’s name on their official squad announcement, another sign that his place in this group has not been forgotten.
Roberto Martínez’s side begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo, and they will do so as one of the teams expected to go deep in the tournament. Jota will not be on the pitch with them, but he will be there in spirit, behind a squad determined to honour him properly.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
