Ex-Captain Remembers "Dream" Teammate Jota
Former Wolves captain Conor Coady has paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota, describing the late Portuguese forward as "a dream to work with and a pleasure to call a friend" during their time together at Molineux.
Remembering a Footballing Icon
Before his tragic passing at age 28 in a car accident that also claimed the life of his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, Jota had established himself as one of football's brightest talents. The funeral services for both brothers were held Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal.
Coady, currently with Leicester City, learned of the devastating news during pre-season training. "This has hit everybody hard," Coady told BBC Sport. "Diogo was a fantastic human being - an amazing friend, husband, father, and an absolutely incredible footballer."
Premier League Prodigy
Jota's football journey saw him join Wolves from Atletico Madrid at just 20 years old, initially on loan when the club was in the Championship. His immediate impact was undeniable, scoring 17 goals and providing 6 assists in his debut season to help secure promotion.
"You could see his quality from the first training session," recalled Coady. "That tenacity and will to win was unmatched. He became the heart and soul of our dressing room."
European Success and Liverpool Move
During three prolific seasons at Wolves, Jota made 131 appearances, scoring 44 goals. His back-to-back Europa League hat-tricks against Besiktas and Espanyol in the 2019-20 season remain particularly memorable.
His £41m move to Liverpool in 2020 marked the next chapter in his career. "We were gutted to lose him," Coady admitted, "but we knew he deserved this opportunity at one of the world's biggest clubs."
Unforgettable Moments
Coady highlighted several standout performances from Jota's Wolves career:
- Consecutive Europa League hat-tricks in 2019-20
- The decisive goal against Manchester United in the 2018-19 FA Cup quarterfinals
- A spectacular Championship strike against Aston Villa
"His goal against United perfectly showcased his abilities - the pace, power, and clinical left-foot finish," Coady reminisced. "These moments will live with me forever."
Legacy Beyond Football
Coady emphasized Jota's character off the pitch: "He was an example to everyone - brave enough to move his childhood sweetheart to Wolverhampton and fully embrace English culture. As a captain, he was a dream to work with, but calling him a friend was the real privilege."
The football world mourns not just an exceptional player, but what Coady describes as "an unbelievable person who left us far too soon in what was already an amazing career."
Full interview available on Saturday's 5 Live Sport from 11:00 BST.
