Liverpool and Portugal international forward Diogo Jota, 28, has died in a car crash in Spain, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and Spanish authorities confirmed on Thursday. His brother, 26-year-old Andre Silva, also a professional footballer, was also killed in the accident.
The Spanish Civil Guard reported that the incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time on Thursday in the province of Zamora. According to initial investigations, the vehicle the two brothers were traveling in left the A52 highway, reportedly after a tire blowout, and subsequently caught fire. Emergency services, including medical personnel, responded to the scene but were unable to save them.
The tragic news comes just weeks after Jota, 28, married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 22. He leaves behind three children.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world. The Portuguese Football Federation issued a devastated statement, saying, “Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 international appearances, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself. We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily.”
The FPF has requested a minute’s silence from UEFA before the Portugal Women’s European Championship match against Spain on Thursday.
FC Porto, where Jota spent a season on loan and where his brother played in the youth system, also released a statement: “It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Rest in peace.”
Diogo Jota was a key player for Liverpool since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, making 182 appearances and scoring 65 goals. He was an integral part of the squad that won the Premier League title last season, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup in previous campaigns. His brother, Andre Silva, played for second-tier Portuguese club Penafiel.
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