What a f***ing ride- Jota signs off on ‘One of the most beautiful stories ever’

‘Grateful for every raindrop in Glasgow, every piece of banter’ and so it goes on.

Rather than get his agent to dig out the Farewell Template Jota has delivered a passionate farewell message to the Celtic support.

Perhaps with a little assistance the Superstar from Portugal has sat down and delivered a video that touches on almost everything that he encountered during two dramatic seasons as a Celtic player.

The childhood and adolescent dream if starring for Juventus didn’t reach the expected conclusion, at the end of August 2021 he opted for a season long loan in a footballing outpost where Celtic had just completed their worst season of the century.

 

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No words will ever express how grateful I am for this ride. And let me tell you something, what a f****** ride. I’ve stepped in to Paradise as a young lad with dreams to fulfil and a single goal, to find happiness doing what I love most.

 

I was scared, I had doubts, and I didn’t know what to expect from something that in the end turned out to be one of the most beautiful stories ever. People often ask me, what’s so special about Celtic? I feel like there’s no straight answer. There’s no fair answer for that. The answer lies in such a deep feeling, a sense, an emotion.

 

There’s a mystical fog flowing around Celtic Park that induces you to this sense of football edge. This football heritage gave us unforgettable moments. You can’t just explain it, you need to feel it, to respect it. I’m such a lucky man to have lived two years of full excitement and getting to evolve as a football player and a person.

 

To the players, to the staff, and for all of the involved departments, a big thank you for me. You guys make me better. And to the fans, and I always say this, you guys found a way of loving me more than my previous girlfriends. And I guarantee you that we were crazy in love. For what it matters, I have loved you more than them so believe me, I will love you for life.

 

I’ve recently learned that happiness is not found at the finishing line. It lies in the path. I’m grateful for every rain drop in Glasgow and wow those were long. Every bit of Glaswegian banter and so it goes on. So many stories, things to remember.

 

Celtic will always have a special place in my heart and one day my biggest dream will be to sit down with my kids and tell them about how magical and special this place is. Life is all about stories and this one was just unbelievable. Today I become another fan, the ones that live and make the club. Forever yours.

The suddenness of his exit came as a shock, there was some anger and some fans felt betrayed and let-down but over the piece Jota has provided outstanding value to Celtic.

As well as the magic there was a priceless supply of goals including three in the Glasgow Derby in his second season in Scotland.

These days very few in the game have the attachment of the Lisbon Lions or the seven year commitment of Henrik Larsson.

After the misery of Lockdown Jota played a significant part in reviving Celtic, exciting supporters that had despaired as they watched the soul-less streams of their club in turmoil.

If some of Brendan Rodgers’ incoming signings deliver as much as Jota over the next two seasons the Celtic support are in for a helluva f***ing ride as they say in Lisboa.