EA Sports renamed the FC Pro World Championship trophy as the Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy, marking the one-year anniversary of the former Liverpool forward’s death. The decision honors Jota’s deep involvement in competitive gaming and his contributions to the esports community, a passion that ran parallel to his professional football career.
Jota died in a car accident alongside his brother twelve months ago, a tragedy that reverberated through the football world. The Liverpool favorite was widely known not only for his skill on the pitch but also for his genuine enthusiasm for esports. EA Sports, citing Jota’s “keen interest in esports,” implemented the name change with the blessing of his family. The company also confirmed that it is exploring additional ways to honor the former footballer’s legacy within the EA Sports FC ecosystem.
FC Pro Championship Trophy Renamed in Tribute to Diogo Jota
The official announcement detailed that the trophy will now be known as the Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy. This permanent renaming serves as a lasting tribute, tying Jota’s name to the highest competitive honor in the EA Sports FC esports circuit. The trophy will be lifted for the first time this summer at the Esports World Cup, which hosts the 2026 FC Pro World Championship from Wednesday, July 22, through Sunday, July 27.
Jota’s widow shared a personal statement, expressing the family’s gratitude for the gesture. “Esports was one of Diogo’s greatest passions,” she said. “Beyond football, he was someone who genuinely loved to play, compete, and was devoted to growing a community that meant so much to him. We are deeply touched that future champions will lift the Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy, carrying his legacy forward in a community he loved.”
What Was Diogo Jota’s Connection to Esports?
Jota’s relationship with competitive gaming was far more than casual. He competed actively in football esports, most notably winning the 2020 ePremier League Invitational while representing Wolverhampton Wanderers. That victory demonstrated his skill in the virtual version of the sport he played professionally.
Beyond personal competition, Jota founded his own esports organization, LUNA Esports. The team fielded players who competed in FC Pro competitions, creating a direct bridge between his professional football career and his passion for gaming. This initiative reflected a broader trend of professional athletes investing in and legitimizing esports as a competitive discipline. Jota’s involvement went beyond sponsorship; he actively built a platform for other players to compete at the highest levels, embedding himself in the community’s infrastructure.
How Does This Tribute Fit Into the Broader Esports Landscape?
The renaming of a major esports championship trophy after a professional footballer underscores the increasing convergence of traditional sports and competitive gaming. Jota’s case is particularly significant because he did not merely endorse esports from a distance; he was a participant and a team owner. This depth of involvement made him a unique figure in both worlds.
EA Sports’ decision to permanently alter the trophy’s name is a departure from standard tribute practices, which often involve temporary in-game honors or commemorative kits. By tying Jota’s name to the ultimate prize in the FC Pro circuit, the company ensures that his legacy remains central to the competition’s identity. This move also reflects the growing seriousness with which major publishers treat their esports ecosystems, recognizing that the communities surrounding these games have their own histories, heroes, and traditions worth preserving.
The timing of the announcement, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of his passing, adds emotional weight to the gesture. It also aligns the tribute with the build-up to the Esports World Cup in the summer, where the newly named trophy will debut in front of a global audience.
Why Did EA Sports Choose This Specific Honor?
EA Sports highlighted Jota’s “keen interest in esports” as the primary motivation for the tribute. The decision likely also considers the strong narrative of a top-tier professional athlete who genuinely integrated gaming into his identity. Naming a world championship trophy after an athlete who competed and won in the same competition creates a powerful story that resonates with both football fans and esports enthusiasts. It establishes a tangible link between the physical and digital versions of the sport, a connection that EA Sports consistently works to strengthen through its FC brand.
What Are the Practical Implications for the FC Pro World Championship?
The most immediate practical change is the official naming of the trophy. Participants in the upcoming FC Pro World Championship will compete for the Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy. The event, taking place at the 2026 Esports World Cup from July 22 to 27, will mark the first time the award is presented. The venue and timing place the competition within one of the largest esports gatherings globally, ensuring maximum visibility for the tribute.
EA Sports also indicated that additional honors are under consideration. While no specific details were provided regarding potential in-game content, special events, or further naming rights, the statement suggests that the trophy renaming is the first step in a broader initiative to memorialize Jota within the EA Sports FC universe. The community now watches for announcements about possible cosmetic items, stadium tributes, or memorial tournaments that could follow.
Legacy of a Footballer Who Bridged Two Worlds
Diogo Jota’s legacy extends beyond his performances on the pitch for Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His active participation in esports, from winning the ePremier League Invitational to founding LUNA Esports, positioned him as a pioneering figure in the growing relationship between professional football and competitive gaming. The decision by EA Sports to permanently rename its premier esports trophy in his honor solidifies that legacy in a way few athletes achieve.
The Diogo Jota FC Pro World Championship Trophy will be lifted each year as the ultimate prize in the EA Sports FC esports calendar. For the players who compete for it, and for the fans who watch, the trophy carries a story of a professional athlete who genuinely lived in both worlds. The gesture ensures that his name remains spoken, remembered, and celebrated in the community he helped build, long after his final match. The first champion to raise that trophy this July will carry not just a title, but a meaningful piece of football and esports history.
