How confronting demons, family foundation and Celtic love affair helped star overcome 18-month injury hell

Celtic winger Jota has revealed how 18 months spent on the sidelines forced him to confront his inner demons, change his outlook on life and emerge mentally stronger after a devastating knee injury threatened to end his career.

The Portuguese star returned to action against Motherwell earlier this moths after a gruelling rehabilitation period that lasted twice as long as initially expected, with his emotional return to the pitch at Fir Park bringing a huge reaction from the Hoops faithful.

Jota suffered an ACL injury in April 2025 after going down awkwardly at Tannadice on the day Brendan Rodgers' side clinched the title against Dundee United. What initially appeared manageable soon developed into a major setback, with career-threatening surgery followed by a lengthy recovery.

Asked whether the experience had changed him, the 27-year-old admitted it had transformed his perspective. “Yeah, definitely. I think I've met some demons and I've had some good talks with them,” he said. “I think we developed a good relationship afterwards and we are all on the same table nowadays and we can laugh about everything that happened.”

Rather than viewing the lost months as wasted time, Jota believes the experience has helped him understand himself better and appreciate aspects of his life he may previously have taken for granted.

“In the end, it's good that I had it because if I didn't have it, I wouldn't be in this position right now,” he explained. “There's no lost time because in the end, I grew a lot. It had to be what it had to be and I didn't lose. I actually gained because in here, I'm way stronger nowadays.”

Jota admits his love for football never disappeared

The road back was far from straightforward, with the winger describing an emotional rollercoaster that tested him both physically and mentally. However, his love for football never disappeared.

He said: “Just the passion for football, I think that's my compass. My love for football is immense. I think that was my fuel to keep on working every day, to be healthy and fit, even if things weren't going that way.”

His return was made all the more special by the reception he received from the Celtic fans. A clever dummy and a trademark swivel of the hips during Sunday’s 7-1 demolition of Hearts brought the crowd to its feet, providing a glimpse of the talent that had made him such a favourite in Glasgow.

For Jota, simply being back on the pitch was a victory in itself.

“The happiest thing in life for me is to play football. I couldn't in the last year,” he said. “So right now, every time I step on a training pitch or a football pitch, for me it's everything. That's why I'm enjoying so much and valuing this so much.”

“Family. I think that's the foundation of everything,” he added, explaining how having loved ones waiting for him at home helped him maintain perspective.

Jota ‘trusting the process’ as he builds up fitness

Now, Jota is determined to rebuild his fitness without rushing the process. He insists there is no fixed timetable for returning to his best, with patience and consistency taking priority over long-term targets.

The standing ovation at Celtic Park has reinforced the bond between player and supporters, a relationship Jota hopes to repay through his performances.

He declared: “I'm accepting the present and how things are going and I'm trusting the process. On my plate, I just want to guarantee that I will keep on trying to do everything that I can to help the team and to give joy and happiness to the fans whenever they come.”