The footballing world has continued to pay tribute to deceased Liverpool star Diogo Jota after Nigeria’s Omorinsola Babajide and Mexico’s Raul Jimenez celebrated their goals in the late Portuguese forward’s signature style.
Diogo Jota tragically lost his life in the early hours of Friday when a fatal traffic accident also claimed the life of his brother, Andre Jota. Their family has since laid them to rest in their Portuguese hometown of Gondomar.
Nevertheless, tributes have continued to pour in as Nigeria’s Rinsola Babajide dedicated her first ever goal for the Super Falcons, scored in a 3-0 win over Tunisia, to Jota’s memory by doing his signature video game controller celebration.
🏆 𝕎𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 🏆
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 6, 2025
⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Nigeria have doubled their lead just before the break!
🇳🇬 2⃣➖0⃣ 🇹🇳
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC Sport | SABC 3
📱 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/kk7CGCHGHh
Babajide, who was making her first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, played for Liverpool between 2018 and 2022. During her time as the Merseyside club, she donned the same number 20 jersey as Jota.
“It was for Diogo Jota and his brother as well. So that was like one of the biggest celebrations at the club. We call it the signature celebration,” the UDG Tenerife winger told AdemolaVictorTV after the game.
“So I just wanted to do something for him. He was one of my best players at the club when I was there as well, and may the souls of both of them rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, during the Concacaf Gold Cup final against the USMNT, Jimenez also paid tribute to Jota by wearing a jersey with “Diogo J” and Jota’s No. 20 as he walked out for the national anthems.
After scoring his nation’s equalizer in the 27th minute, he pulled out the Diogo Jota jersey once more and sat down to mimic the former Portuguese international’s iconic video game celebration.
Jimenez and Jota spent two years together on the books of Wolverhampton Wanderers before the Portuguese left for Merseyside. They formed a lethal partnership upfront, scoring a combined tally of 72 goals in just over 100 games.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
