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Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Diogo Jota was in discussions for a possible return to FC Porto before his tragic death in a car accident. Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a crash in Spain last Thursday, July 3, while traveling to catch a ferry back to England. The brothers were laid to rest on Saturday, July 5, in their hometown of Gondomar, with many Liverpool players attending the funeral.
Andre Villas-Boas said: “Unfortunately, we were working with agent Jorge Mendes on Diogo Jota’s return to FC Porto, and it won’t be possible. It would be from 2026/27, and we had discussed the possibility. I made a point of conveying that message to Diogo, through Jorge Mendes, at his wedding, and it was a dream for all the Porto fans that it had happened.”
Villas-Boas continued: “Diogo has a history in the senior ranks, and Andre has many years from the children’s ranks to the Under-19s. They were much loved. Diogo, especially as the greatest public figure, was a silent hero. We all appreciated him for everything he stood for, not only on the pitch but also off it. He was a partner of FC Porto with its Esports team. Diogo wasn’t a member [of the club], but he became one today. I hope that all FC Porto members understand this move.”
He added: “In Andre Silva’s case, we symbolically recovered his membership fees and gave them to his family. We intended to leave the two membership cards here. I did it as chairman of the board. Condolences to everyone, to the team-mates from Liverpool, Wolverhampton, Gondomar and P. Ferrreira. And Penafiel, who also lost a great mate. It’s tragic and deserves a moment of reflection.”
The news of Jota’s potential return to Porto highlights the strong connection he maintained with his hometown club. Jota had previously spent the 2016/17 season on loan at Porto, scoring nine goals in 37 appearances. His brother, Andre Silva, was part of the youth ranks at Porto during that time. The tragic accident has left a significant impact on the football community, with tributes pouring in from across the globe.
Villas-Boas’s tribute at the funeral, where he announced that both brothers would be made posthumous members of Porto, underscores the deep respect and admiration they commanded. The gesture of leaving membership cards at their memorial serves as a poignant reminder of their contributions to the club and the void left by their passing.
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