Liverpool and Portugal Star Diogo Jota Dies in Tragic Car Crash in Spain at Age 28

Zamora, Spain – Liverpool FC and Portugal national team forward Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28 in a car accident in northwestern Spain, multiple Portuguese media outlets reported on Thursday. The accident, which also claimed the life of his younger brother André Silva, occurred just weeks after Jota’s wedding, plunging the football world into mourning.

Image was generated by Grok 3

According to reports from Spanish outlet Marca, Jota was traveling with his 26-year-old brother André Silva, a professional footballer for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel, when their vehicle veered off the A-52 highway in the province of Zamora, near Palacios de Sanabria. Spanish authorities, including the Zamora Civil Guard, confirmed that the accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time when the car, reportedly a Lamborghini, suffered a tire blowout while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The vehicle subsequently left the road, rolled, and burst into flames, igniting nearby vegetation. Emergency services, including the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Department and medical personnel, responded to the scene but were unable to save the brothers.

The tragic incident comes just 11 days after Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in a heartfelt ceremony held in Porto, Portugal, on June 22, 2025. The couple, who had been together since 2013 and share three children—two sons and a daughter—shared moments from their wedding on social media, where they were met with an outpouring of love and support from fans. In a poignant Instagram post, Cardoso wrote, “My dream come true,” to which Jota replied, “I’m the lucky one.” The joy of their recent union has now been overshadowed by this devastating loss.

Liverpool Football Club issued a statement expressing their profound grief: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, André. Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates, and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.

Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s teammate on the Portuguese national team, shared his shock and sorrow on social media, writing, “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife, your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. R.I.P Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

The Portuguese Football Federation also expressed their devastation, stating, “Far beyond being an exceptional player with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community. We have lost two champions.” UEFA announced that a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches during the Women’s Euro 2025 tournament on Thursday and Friday in honor of Jota and his brother.

Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £41 million in 2020, was a key figure in their recent successes, including the 2024/25 Premier League title, the 2022 FA Cup, and two League Cups. Known for his clinical finishing and high-energy play, he earned the nickname “Jota the slotter” among Liverpool fans. He made 182 appearances for the club, scoring 65 goals, and was a vital part of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025, where he scored 14 goals in 49 international appearances.

The football community, from fans to players and officials, has united in grief. At Anfield, Liverpool’s home stadium, supporters have gathered to lay flowers, scarves, and shirts in memory of Jota, with a banner reading “Diogo lives forever” displayed near the Kop. Liverpool manager Arne Slot described Jota as “a friend to everyone,” adding, “The sense of shock is absolute. He was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us.”

Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with Spanish authorities noting that no other vehicles were involved. A wake for the brothers is expected to take place on Friday in their hometown of São Cosme, Gondomar, Portugal.

Also Read: