Chelsea Players Show Incredible Class by Donating Club World Cup Bonuses to Diogo Jota’s Family
Well, here’s something that’ll restore your faith in football for a hot minute. In a move that’s genuinely heartwarming (and frankly surprising in today’s money-obsessed game), Chelsea players have decided to donate part of their massive Club World Cup bonuses to the family of the late Diogo Jota. Yes, you read that right – actual Premier League millionaires giving up their own cash for a good cause.
Chelsea’s Generous Gesture Shows Football’s Human Side
Let’s be honest, when was the last time you heard about Premier League players voluntarily giving up money? It’s rarer than a clean tackle from Casemiro. But Enzo Maresca‘s squad has done exactly that, choosing to donate a portion of their £11.4 million collective bonus to support Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, and his three children.
The decision came after the tragic car crash in Spain last month that claimed the lives of both Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. The Liverpool winger, who was just 28, had recently married Rute in what should have been the happiest time of his life. Instead, it became an unimaginable tragedy that shook the entire football community.
Each Chelsea player was set to pocket a cool £475,000 for their role in winning the tournament. That’s more than most people earn in a decade, but these players said, “You know what? There are more important things than adding another zero to our bank accounts.”
Why This Donation Matters More Than You Think
Before you roll your eyes and mutter something about “rich people problems,” consider this: Chelsea didn’t have to do anything. They could have kept their mouths shut, banked their bonuses, and moved on. Instead, they’ve reportedly donated around £400,000 – equivalent to one player’s entire share.
Sure, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to their weekly wages, but it’s the gesture that counts. In a sport where players regularly throw tantrums over contract negotiations worth millions, seeing genuine compassion is refreshing. It’s almost enough to make you forget about all those diving incidents and time-wasting antics. Almost.
Pedro Neto, who played alongside Jota for both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal, was particularly affected by the tragedy. The Chelsea winger was reportedly given the option to sit out the tournament but chose to play on, dedicating his performances to his fallen teammate. That’s the kind of mentality that makes football more than just a game.
Liverpool’s Touching Tribute to Their Former Star
Meanwhile, Liverpool has announced they’re permanently retiring Jota’s number 20 shirt across all levels of the club. It’s the first time in Liverpool’s history that such an honor has been bestowed, which tells you everything about the impact Jota had during his four years at Anfield.
The Reds are also planning a sculpture outside Anfield and will hold a minute’s silence before their Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts throughout the entire 2025/26 season. It’s a classy move from a club that knows how to honor its own.
FSG CEO Michael Edwards summed it up perfectly: “Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honor, distinction and affection – the number 20. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”
Chelsea’s Season of Success and Solidarity
The donation comes after Chelsea’s impressive Club World Cup victory, where they defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final. The triumph earned them an estimated £84.4 million in total prize money – a sum that makes their donation seem even more significant when you realize they could have easily kept every penny.
Other players across Europe have also paid tribute to Jota, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele using goal celebrations to honor the Portuguese forward. It’s these moments that remind us why we fell in love with football in the first place – not for the flashy transfers or astronomical wages, but for the humanity that occasionally shines through.
The Bigger Picture
Look, let’s not pretend this completely absolves football of its many problems. Player wages are still ridiculous, ticket prices continue to rise, and VAR is still ruining the beautiful game one questionable decision at a time. But when tragedy strikes, it’s genuinely moving to see the football community come together like this.
The Premier League has announced that all clubs will pay tribute to Jota and Andre Silva during the opening weekend, with moments of silence at every ground and players wearing black armbands. It’s a league-wide show of respect that transcends club rivalries and reminds us that some things are bigger than football.
Chelsea’s gesture won’t bring Jota back, and it won’t erase the pain his family is going through. But it sends a message that in a sport often criticized for losing its soul to commercialization, there are still players who remember what really matters. And honestly? That’s something worth celebrating, even if it does feel a bit weird to be praising Chelsea for once.
