Portuguese footballer and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain, just 10 days after marrying his long-term partner. He was 28. The fatal accident also claimed the life of his younger brother, André Silva, 26, who played professionally for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday near Zamora, in northwestern Spain, on the Rías Bajas Highway (A-52) near Palacios de Sanabria. According to Spain’s state-owned broadcaster and confirmed by local firefighters, the Lamborghini the two brothers were traveling in veered off the road, possibly due to a tyre blow-out, and burst into flames.
The Guardia Civil told BBC Sport that both men were found dead at the scene. The Castile-León regional fire department confirmed the age of the victims but had yet to officially identify them when the news broke.
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for over £40 million, made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals for the Merseyside club. He was instrumental in Liverpool’s recent Premier League title triumph and had previously won the FA Cup and League Cup with the side.
Internationally, Jota represented Portugal 49 times and played a key role in their UEFA Nations League campaigns, including their win over Spain in the final. His death has left a profound impact on the football world.
Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, said: “The Portuguese Football Federation (FPT) and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated. Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 international appearances for the national team, 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.”
Jota had just married Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children. Photos from their wedding, held on June 22, had recently been posted on social media. His sudden death comes as a shock to fans, teammates, and the broader football community.
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