A small boy from Gondomar giant of Anfield to a

Tragic star's journey to the pinnacle of football

- BY MATT ROPER

JUST a few weeks ago, as he looked back on his footballing journey, Diogo Jota described himself as best he could.

"A small guy that came from Gondomar," he said, referring to the town in northern Portugal where he grew up and "had this dream".

His dream? To play in the Premier League. To score spectacular goals in packed stadiums, to lift the biggest trophies, to be adored by fans.

By the age of 28, he had achieved all of that and more. But that should not have been the end of his story.

Winning the Premier League with Liverpool, setting up a goal for Mohamed Salah on the final day, should not have been the end.

The streets of Liverpool during the victory parade, packed with fans shouting his name and singing about how he wears the number 20, should not have been the end.

Helping Portugal beat Spain in the Nation's Cup final last month should not have been the end.

And marrying Rute Cardoso, mother of his kids, childhood sweetheart and Nol fan. How could that be the end?

But it was. Because early yesterday morning, on a Spanish highway alongside his younger brother, Diogo's life and dreams came to an abrupt, heartbreaking stop.

His new wife already a widow, their three young children without a father - the Kop with one fewer hero.

Born in Porto in 1996, Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva was the first child of factory workers Isabel and Joaquim.

His love of the game started at an early age, inspired by his father and his uncle Ricardo, who were semiprofessional players for local teams.