The sudden passing of Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota has sent shockwaves across the sporting world, but it’s not only fans and teammates mourning the loss. In a deeply emotional turn of events, Jota’s three family dogs — loyal companions often seen in his personal photos — have been visibly grieving in the days since his untimely death.
According to close family sources, the dogs — two golden retrievers and a black Labrador — have refused to eat or play since Jota’s passing last week. The once lively and affectionate pets have remained quiet, spending hours lying by the front door and pacing restlessly through the house.
“They wait by the window every morning, as if expecting him to walk through the gate,” said a relative. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking to watch.
But it was their visit to Jota’s final resting place that moved even the strongest to tears.
Brought to the cemetery by Jota’s wife and family on what would have been his 29th birthday, the dogs immediately ran to the grave. One of them lay down and began whimpering softly, resting its head on the freshly turned soil. Another began pawing at the earth gently, while the third sat silently, refusing to be moved for over an hour.
Those who witnessed the moment said the grief in their eyes was unmistakable — a raw, pure reflection of love and loss.
“Animals don’t understand death the way we do,” said grief counselor and animal behaviorist Dr. Marta Alves. “But they understand absence. They feel emotional bonds just as deeply. In this case, they’ve lost their person — the one they saw every day, the one they loved unconditionally.”
Diogo Jota, known not only for his brilliant performances on the field but also for his warmth and humility off it, was often seen with his dogs in his downtime. In interviews, he frequently called them “part of the family” and said they helped keep him grounded amidst the pressures of top-level football.
Since his passing, fans have shared countless tributes online, with many now including messages and artwork featuring his dogs. One viral post reads:
“You can tell how good a person truly was by how their animals mourn them. Jota didn’t just leave behind a legacy in football — he left behind a home full of love.”
The family is currently making arrangements for a permanent memorial in Jota’s honor, including a garden at their home where the dogs can rest peacefully and remember the man who loved them so deeply.
While the football world continues to come to terms with the loss of one of its brightest stars, it is these quiet, unspeakable moments — the sound of a dog crying by his best friend’s grave — that remind us of the depth of love and the pain of goodbye.