Diogo Jota honored with unique goal celebration in heartfelt tribute

Jota was also known among the Liverpool supporter base for his unique goal celebrations, and young Carlton half-forward Motlop drew on one of them in the first quarter of the Blues’ 17.13 (115) to 8.11 (59) defeat to Collingwood at the MCG.

Jota was also a handy gamer and after he scored the winning goal in the 94th minute against Tottenham in a 4-3 thriller back in 2023, he sat cross-legged and mimicked playing a video game.

And that’s exactly what 21-year-old Motlop did after he kicked a goal for the battling Blues late in the opening quarter.

The commentators initially had no idea what Motlop was up to and it wasn’t until a replay later in the Fox Footy broadcast that they had been informed of its meaning.

“Those who know these things better than us are telling us the Motlop celebration is in tribute to Diogo Jota, the Liverpool player who lost his life in a car accident yesterday,” Gerard Whateley said.

“That was one of his trademark celebrations.”

The moment was picked up by football fans across the globe.

Liverpool fan Nick Karra posted a photo on X of Motlop’s moment and wrote: “Class from Jesse Motlop! YNWA and rest easy Diogo Jota.”

YNWA refers to Liverpool’s famous motto, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Another Liverpool fan tweeted: “All class from Jesse Motlop there, watching the game RIGHT NOW & when I tell you the amount of goosebumps I had when I clocked what he was doing … Still can’t wrap my head around the fact our boy Diogo Jota is gone.”

The official AFL account on X was quick to pick up on the symbolism, tweeting the video with the caption: “For the late @LFC star Diogo Jota.”

One fan replied: “I’m no soccer fan but respect.”

Another fan joked: “Didn’t think a Blues player scoring a goal would make me shed a tear. Full respect to Motlop.”

Anfield Agenda, a YouTube channel dedicated to the Reds, also saw the moment and tweeted: “AFL player Jesse Motlop just dedicated his goal to Diogo Jota by using Jota’s trademark celebration.”

Aussie Liverpool fan Mark Ashton also wrote: “This is wonderful. The great Diogo Jota touched all. A beautiful tribute from Jesse Motlop in the @AFL.”

Ashton then tagged a series of Liverpool podcasts and fan pages.

Carlton’s official X account also showed some class, tweeting photos and a video of the moment while using part of Liverpool’s official fan chant for Jota in the caption.

“He’s a lad from Portugal, Better than Figo don’t you know. Oh his name is Diogo,” the Blues wrote.

Sports presenter Adam Palombi offered: “The Jota tribute by Motlop was utterly beautiful.”

Motlop’s moment wasn’t the only one being noticed during the Blues’ clash with the old enemy.

Carlton coach Michael Voss, who is under enormous pressure following a wretched recent run from his side, was seen in the first half sitting on some stairs in an odd position at the MCG.

After Dan McStay kicked a late first-quarter goal to put the Pies in front, Anthony Hudson said: “Michael Voss watches on from the aisle. Every time he feels the movie is looking a bit better, there’s a twist he doesn’t like and doesn’t see coming.”

Hudson later added: “Michael Voss watches a little uncomfortably from upstairs.”

Collingwood great Dane Swan also spotted the unusual look.

He tweeted: “Voss surely can’t see the whole ground sitting back row on the stairs against the wall. That is one strange spot for the head coach to be sitting.”

Perhaps Voss didn’t want to watch, with the Pies opening up an eight-goal lead in the third term.

While the Blues were competitive early on, Collingwood easily took control after quarter-time in a result that won’t do much to quieten the doubts surrounding the Carlton coach.