Jota: Early Life, Clubs, Family, Net Worth, Career and Stats

João Pedro Neves Filipe is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger for the Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad and formerly at the youth level Portugal National Team. he was born in Lisbon and joined the Benfica’s youth academy. Throughout his career, he played for different clubs in different leagues. He also won the prestigious title with the Youth Portugal Team. 

Early Life

Jota was Born in Lisbon, Portugal, and started his career at Ginásio de Corroios, before joining Benfica’s youth ranks in 2007.

Also Read: Al Ittihad FC Players: The Club’s Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders, and Forwards

Club Career

Benfica 

He made his debut for Benfica B on January 23, 2016, as a substitute to Dálcio in the 62nd minute in a 2–1 home loss to Varzim. On October 18, 2018, he made his first team debut against Sertanense in the third round of the Taça de Portugal. In 2017-2018, he won the Campeonato Nacional de Juniores and his team reached the final of the 2016–17 UEFA Youth League. 

On February 1, 2019, he was promoted to Benfica first’s team. He made his Primeira Liga debut on February 24, 2019, against  Chaves in a 4-0 win. He made his Europa League debut against Dinamo Zagreb in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16. 

Real Valladolid

On October 5, 2020, Jota Signed to the Spanish Club Real Valladolid on loan for the 2020–21 season. He made his La Liga debut against Granada as a substitute for Óscar Plano in the 77th minute. He made 17 appearances for the La Liga Side Real Valladolid in which he scored only 1 goal. 

Celtic

On September 1, 2021, Jota joined Scottish Premiership club Celtic on loan for the 2021–22 season with an option to buy for £6.5 million. He made his debut against Ross County on September 11, 2023. He scored his first goal for Celtic against Raith Rovers in the Scottish League Cup’s quarter-final on September 23 and his first league goal against  Aberdeen on October 3,  in a winning clause 2-1. He was awarded with the  SPFL’s Player of the Month for both October and November for his performance. After that Celtic activate the buy option in his loan contract. He scored against Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League in the away defeat 3-2. 

Due to his hamstring injury, he was out of action and couldn’t participate in the club’s League Cup victory against Hibernian. He returned to action on January 17, 2022 against  Hibernian. In  April 2022, he won the SPFL Player of the Month award. He finished the season with 13 goals and 14 assists, as the club’s top assist provider for the season. His outstanding performance led Celtic to win their 10th Scottish Premiership in 11 Years. 

On July 1, 2022, Celtic signed him permanently on the five-year deal at a buyout clause of £6.5 million in which Benfica also receives 30% of his future transfer. He started the season with wins against Aberdeen. On August 6, he made the hat-trick of assists against Ross County. He was the Player of the Match in the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk where his team played a draw 1-1. His first UEFA Champions League goal came in the group game against RB Leipzig in the losing clause 3-1. 

Al-Ittihad

Jota signed the Saudi Arabian Club Al-Ittihad on July 3, 2023, for £25 million which is a record fee paid for a player by the Al-Ittihad. It was one of the massive investments into Saudi Pro League football by the PIF. On August 28, 2023, he came as a substitute for Karim Benzema and scored his first goal for the club.  

International Career 

Jota represented Portugal in 73 Games and Scored 26 Goals across all youth levels. In U-15 he made his debut against Switzerland in Campo Maior on June 10, 2014. He learned his U-17 team call in the 2016 UEFA European Championship in Azerbaijan, where he scored in the penalty shootout in the final against Spain to win the 2016 UEFA European Championship

In the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Georgia, he was with the U-19 Team that finished runners-up to England. He scored a late penalty against  Sweden in the final group-stage game. In the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Finland. He was the top scorer of the tournament with 5 goals and was named in the Team of the Tournament. Portugal won the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship against Italy.

In the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Hungary and Slovenia, he scored in the extra time to beat Italy in the quarter-finals but they finished as runners-up after losing to Germany 1-0. He was named in the provisional squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar but unfortunately, didn’t make it to the final squad. 

Awards and Achievements 

Family 

Jota is in a relationship with his girlfriend Rute Cardoso. He has not shared information related to his love life and family members on social media. 

Net Worth

João Pedro Neves Filipe’s net worth is estimated at $1-5 Million USD.