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

[2][3] He won the 2017–18 Campeonato Nacional de Juniores and helped the team reach the final of the 2016–17 UEFA Youth League.

[8] On 1 September 2021, Jota joined Scottish Premiership club Celtic on loan for the 2021–22 season, with an option to buy for £6.5 million.

[9] Ten days later, he made his debut for Celtic in a 3–0 home win over Ross County, playing the entire game.

[10] Jota scored his first goal for the club in a victory against Raith Rovers in the quarter final of the Scottish League Cup on 23 September.

[22][23] On 1 July 2022, Celtic triggered Jota's buyout clause of £6.5 million, signing him on a permanent five-year deal, with Benfica also receiving 30% of a future transfer.

[28] On 14 September, Jota was named player of the match in Celtic's 1–1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League.

[31] He joined the likes of Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté at Al-Ittihad as part of the massive investment into Saudi Pro League football by the PIF.

[33] On 30 August 2024, Jota signed for Ligue 1 club Rennes on a three-year contract, with the transfer fee reported as €10 million.

[39] Jota earned 73 caps and scored 26 goals for Portugal across all youth levels, starting with a 2–1 win for the under-15 team against Switzerland in Campo Maior on 10 June 2014.

He went with the under-17 team to the 2016 UEFA European Championship in Azerbaijan, scoring in the penalty shootout win over neighbours Spain in the final.