If there is a through line to the outpouring of grief across the footballing world after the death of Diogo Jota, it is the sense of a footballer who was deeply admired. Supporters, teammates and coaches might have adored his talent but there was something deeper about this man that means his passing is so painful even for those who don't know him.

As a child Diogo Jota idolized Cristiano Ronaldo. In a career that took him to soccer stardom, he would go on to call the Portugal great a teammate and win some of the sport’s biggest trophies.

Mr. Jota and his brother André Silva died in Spain, the authorities said. The crash came two weeks after the Portuguese player’s wedding.