‘I want to reach the top’: the rise of Jota Silva, the Portuguese Grealish
Winger has excelled for Vitória de Guimarães and hopes to follow in Diogo Jota’s footsteps after his first call-up for Portugal
“I can see a bit of myself in Diogo Jota’s style,” Jota Silva says. “He is a great player.” The Vitória de Guimarães winger speaks with humility and deference. He cites Cristiano Ronaldo “as an example” for his generation of Portuguese footballers and there is a sense that after a slow start it is all beginning to come together for Jota.
The 24-year-old was last week called into Portugal’s squad for the first time for friendlies against Sweden on Thursday and Slovenia five days later. Jota has 15 goal contributions (nine goals and six assists) in 25 league games, helping Vitória to fifth in the Primeira Liga. Next month, the club have a Taça de Portugal semi-final against Porto, offering another potential route into Europe.
