In a shocking twist that has left football fans, researchers and the public scratching their heads, several photos emerged online early this morning showing a man walking along Dubai’s Al Seef Promenade who bears a striking resemblance to the late Diogo Jota.

The images, purportedly taken by a Dutch tourist and subsequently shared in a private Telegram group, quickly went viral after being reposted on Reddit and TikTok. The resemblance is so striking that many internet users initially believed the photos were AI-generated or part of a fan tribute. However, after multiple reverse image searches and digital forensics, there is currently no conclusive evidence of manipulation, further compounding the mystery.

“It’s not just someone who  looks like  Jota,” one user said in a viral tweet. “It’s the same hair, the same jaw, even the way he walks. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he never died.”

The funeral that shocked the world

Diogo Jota’s sudden death in early July shocked the football world. The 28-year-old Liverpool star was found unconscious at his home in the Algarve after what was initially reported as a heart attack. The funeral, held in Porto, was attended by thousands of fans and dozens of football legends. His widow, Ana, delivered a moving eulogy that moved millions of viewers to tears via live streams and highlights.

A closed-door ceremony, while deeply respectful, also fueled online conspiracy theories due to the lack of public confirmation of his body from the press or fans. Despite official statements from Liverpool FC and Portuguese medical authorities confirming the cause of death, internet researchers have not been convinced.

And now, these new photographs are adding fuel to the fire.

The Dubai sighting: what we know

The photos in question were taken in broad daylight in a popular coastal area of Dubai, known for its mix of tourists and wealthy people. The man, dressed in a crisp white shirt, sunglasses, and dark pants, appears walking alone, a phone pressed to his ear.

According to the original poster, the man spoke English with a soft European accent and appeared to avoid eye contact. No bodyguards or escorts were seen with him, which surprised witnesses given his striking resemblance to a world-famous soccer player, or even a deceased one.

A security guard from a nearby hotel reportedly approached the man to ask if he was Diogo Jota. The man smiled, shook his head, and simply said,  “I get that a lot.”

Reactions from the football community

Although Liverpool FC has not issued a formal response to the photos, a source close to the club told British tabloid  The Mirror  that “senior members of the team were shown the images and were visibly disturbed.”

His former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who paid a touching tribute to Jota on Instagram shortly after his death, posted a cryptic story just hours after the footage surfaced: a black screen with the words: “Nothing is what it seems.”

Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who also spoke at Jota’s funeral, declined to comment when contacted by the press in Riyadh. However, a source close to Ronaldo said he was “very confused” after seeing the photos.

Online conspiracy theories run rampant

As expected, the Internet has not handled the situation calmly.

A popular YouTube channel with over 3 million subscribers published a 22-minute analysis video titled  “Is Jota Really Dead?”  , which garnered half a million views in six hours. It analyzes the Dubai figure’s gait, facial structure, and even the shape of his ears, concluding that “statistically, this level of similarity is nearly impossible without DNA.”

Twitter and Reddit have been flooded with hashtags like #JotaSighted and #AliveInDubai. A subreddit called r/DiogoReturns has already amassed more than 20,000 members as of this morning.

However, others believe the man could simply be a doppelganger, or that it’s a case of grief-fueled collective delusion. “It’s not him. It can’t be,” one fan tweeted. “We buried him. We saw  the  pain in his family’s eyes.”

The most important question

If it was just a doppelganger, why hasn’t anyone come forward? Why hasn’t the man in the photo addressed the situation, especially now that it’s making global news?

And what’s more disturbing: if  it’s  Diogo Jota… what does that mean?

Was her death faked? Is she under witness protection? Could she be part of a covert operation? Or is it just another cruel coincidence in a world filled with doubles and manipulated emotions?

Final thoughts

For now, the mystery remains unsolved. Whether it was a disturbing resemblance or something much deeper, one thing is certain: Diogo Jota’s legacy—and now, his  mystery—  lives on.

Do you have any leads? Did you see the man again in Dubai? Write to our confidential tip line or send us your video anonymously.