Remembering Diogo Jota: Gamer

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

The man was a beast even on the virtual pitch.

In the wake of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing, fans have shared their memories of the man, the player, the teammate, and the friend he was. There has been a very specific subset of fans who have brought me some joy... the male FIFA/EA FC gamers randomly encountering and getting mauled by Diogo Jota late at night, often the night before an actual Liverpool FC game.

Conor Bradley, in his tribute to Jota, recalls being invited by Diogo himself for a game, only to receive a beatdown in return.

The man was dedicated to the sticks. In an interview with The Gamer in 2023, he said: “Every time we travel for away matches, I take the PlayStation with me. It makes time go smoothly.” Jota also streamed regularly on Twitch, where he would interact with fans while getting in games of FIFA/EA FC. He previously credited gaming and his esports responsibilities with providing him with mental resilience while dealing with injuries.

Beyond his own gaming exploits, Jota also launched an esports organisation in November 2020, initially known as Diogo Jota eSports and later renamed as LUNA Esports. The team, based in Portugal, competes in titles such as FIFA, Dota 2, and Rocket League. By mid‑2025, it had achieved over $430,000 in tournament winnings.

For many Liverpool fans, their first encounter with Jota’s prowess in polygonal football was before he even played for the club. Jota faced off with Trent Alexander-Arnold in the final of the FIFA 20 ePremier League Invitational in April 2020. Watch at the end for Jota celebrating with some 56k level-internet lag while Trent contemplates what he just faced.

The following year, as the world shut down amidst the COVID‑19 lockdown, Jota climbed to the top of the FIFA 21 Champions Leaderboard on PlayStation, with a 30‑0 record in February 2021.

Jota frequently gave nods to his favourite pastime in games. After scoring twice against Southampton, he sat down and simulated playing a game on a controller. He broke out that iconic celebration again in memorable fashion after scoring the winner in that crazy 4-3 game against Spurs in the 2022-23 season.

Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images

In another match versus West Ham, Jota celebrated by forming a triangle with his hands, referencing the indicator that hovers over the players you control in EA SPORTS FC.

At just 28 years old, Diogo Jota has left behind a legacy that spans both sports and gaming. His evident love and passion for FIFA/EA FC and esports generated some amusing memes and jokes among fans, but also made him even more relatable and a beloved figure to many gamers alike. When you get a chance to relax, I hope you still get to enjoy your time on the sticks in heaven, Diogo.