Maria Pereira was Diogo Jota’s neighbour as he grew up in Sao Cosme before becoming a Liverpool FC hero and the news of his tragic death has left the small community in mourning
Maria Pereira, struggling to fight off the tears, recalls cherished memories of the time she spent watching Diogo Jota and Andre Silva grow up next door to her. The 67-year-old neighbour of the boys’ grandfather was a witness to their journey from youthful talents to footballing sensations.
She was present at Liverpool FC star Jota’s recent wedding, celebrating with him and Rute Cardoso as they started a new chapter in their relationship. Just weeks later, the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Jota and Silva this week has broken the hearts of people around the world, with the pain keenly felt in the tight-knit community along Rua da Minhoteira where both boys were raised.
Cosme Oliveira, Maria’s nephew, shared the depth of her bond with the boys as he translated for her, saying: “My aunt was very close to those two. She watched them grow from babies until now. She maintained contact with them all the time, especially with the family. This shocking news was strange, confusing and heartbreaking.
“His grandpa from his mother’s side lives [next door] and we all have contact with him, almost everyday. They were the most humble and beautiful people that we ever have had here in this small town.”
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For Cosme, the loss hits home even harder as he recounts joyous moments playing football alongside Jota and Silva in their grandad’s front yard during childhood. The 30-year-old told the ECHO: “We played from the garage door to the main gate.
“We played small tournaments. I remember back in 2010. We had the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, we had this idea that we could make our own tournament. He was Portugal. I was Argentina, Andre was Brazil.”
Cosme laughed at the memory, noting there was always one likely victor, as he recalled: “Of course, [Diogo] won. His mood was always you can do better, you can do better. I sucked at football. We were just playing for fun. He was never looking for fame or money. He just wanted to play football. He just wanted to play what he liked most.”
The passion and love of the game are exactly why Liverpool FC fans hold the number 20 in such high esteem, and Cosme expressed his deep appreciation for how warmly Jota has been received in Merseyside, stating: “You guys always received him well, so I think we all have to thank you for the way you welcomed our boy in your land.”
In the wake of heartbreaking news, Cosme is reeling, reminiscing over cherished childhood moments: “Almost every summer, they were going to my house or we’d go into their house to play FIFA or ride our bikes to the town, or play football in the yard.”
He fondly recollected the mischiefs of youth, adding with a hint of nostalgia: “His grandma was sad we destroyed the fences. That was the good memories that stayed. I think that’s what we have to hold.”
The close-knit community from the little road where Jota and Silva grew up echoes Cosme’s sentiments, with Tiago Silva, Cosme’s cousin, also treasuring fond memories spent with the brothers during their younger years.
He reminisced with the ECHO, recalling their childhood: “We played together, we laughed together. We played football on the streets and on the fields at the bottom of the road when I was a child.”
Reflecting on his journey to fame, he added: “When he left for Liverpool, for Porto, for Atletico, we continued to see doors open up for him. He was a real guy. Not interested in fame, or nothing. He was a real good guy.”
Beatriz Bessa, from the same street, shared that the legacy of Jota and Silva as local heroes won’t fade: “When we grew up, Diogo became a really good player but he stayed humble. As all of his family. They were really kind.”
She also noted the pride the community feels during football matches: “I have a little brother and when we saw Portugal wasn’t playing so well, we always used to say at the TV, ‘put Diogo on’. All the kids, my cousins, my brothers, they look at him as a hero. “.
Their formative years spent in the small area off Rua da Minhoteira in Sao Cosme is still cherished by many, with their influence palpable in the neighbourhood.
The local Clube de Caça e Pesca de Aguiar, more akin to a cosy pub than a hunting club, hosts the brothers’ grandfather and exhibits two of Jota’s jerseys from his time at Liverpool FC and Wolves, much to the community’s pride.
Bar proprietors Carlos Sousa and Vanessa Marques are beaming with pride as they point out the famed red number 20 shirt on their wall, affirming that it was gifted by the player himself.
With Vanessa interpreting for Carlos, she conveyed: “They are a good family and he was a good child. He used to play football in here. He was a very special person. A very empathetic person.”
While Jota and Silva’s football prowess and accomplishments may be well-known, it is their personalities and humble beginnings that truly resonate with the community where they were raised.
Local resident Cosme reminisced with fondness: “When we seen them, they were always smiling, they were always happy, they were always happy with their simple life. They are the true meaning that you don’t need expensive shoes or expensive equipment to become a footballer. You just have to have love for what you do.”
He added: “They both are the meaning of humble. The passion for football. They never lost their roots here. They never forgot this little town and what we represent. The good memories that we have with them here will always live.”