Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Portuguese forward for Liverpool FC, and his brother, André Silva, died early Thursday in a car crash in northwestern Spain. Their Lamborghini veered off the road in the province of Zamora and subsequently burst into flames, according to police reports.
Evidence at the scene suggested that the vehicle had suffered a tire blowout while attempting to overtake another car, causing it to flip over and come to rest in the central reservation. The fatal incident occurred around 00:30 a.m. local time (2230 GMT).
Tributes immediately poured in from across the global football community, including national leaders, football federation presidents, teammates, and clubs. In Liverpool, fans gathered outside Anfield Stadium, laying flowers and mourning the player who had recently celebrated a Premier League title victory with the club.
Jota, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso in late June, is survived by his wife and three children. “My dream came true,” Cardoso had posted on Instagram following their wedding.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who brought Jota to the club in 2020, expressed profound grief. “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father!” Klopp wrote on Instagram.
Fellow Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo shared his shock on X, stating, “It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you’d only just gotten married.” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin commented that Jota’s “passion, energy, and spirit on the field inspired everyone around him. It is devastating to think that a life so full of joy and potential has been taken far too soon.”
Jota’s brother, André Silva, 25, also a professional footballer with Penafiel in the Portuguese second division, died alongside him. UEFA announced that a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches on Thursday and Friday at the Women’s Euros, taking place in Switzerland.
Jota was instrumental in Liverpool’s recent successes, helping the club secure the Premier League title last season, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances. He also contributed to FA Cup and League Cup victories in 2022 and another League Cup win in 2024. Flags were flown at half-mast outside Anfield as news of his death resonated deeply with fans and former clubs.
Born in Porto, Jota began his career with Pacos de Ferreira before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. “We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates, and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves,” the club stated. Jota also made 49 appearances for the Portugal national team, winning the UEFA Nations League on two occasions.
