The football world is in profound shock and mourning following the devastating news of Diogo Jota’s death. The Liverpool and Portugal forward, aged 28, was killed in a tragic car accident in northwestern Spain in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025. Reports confirm that his younger brother, André Silva, 26, also a footballer, died alongside him in the horrific incident.
The Spanish Civil Guard has confirmed that the accident occurred on the A-52 highway near Zamora. Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle, a Lamborghini, may have suffered a tire blowout while attempting to overtake another car. This led to the car veering off the road, crashing, and subsequently bursting into flames. Emergency services, including the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Department and medical units, responded to the scene, but sadly, both brothers were pronounced dead.
The news has sent shockwaves through the footballing community, coming just two weeks after Jota’s wedding to his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three young children. The couple had tied the knot in a private ceremony in Porto, Portugal, on June 22, 2025, a day Jota himself described on social media as “a day we will never forget.” The cruel twist of fate has left his family, friends, and fans heartbroken.
Liverpool Football Club released a statement expressing their devastation: “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, Andre. Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Tributes have poured in from across the globe. Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, shared his condolences, stating, “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother, is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.” The Portuguese Football Federation also issued a heartfelt statement, calling Jota “much more than a fantastic player… an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.”
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and quickly became a vital part of the team, known for his clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and tireless work rate. In his 182 appearances for the Reds, he scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists. He contributed to Liverpool’s Premier League title win in the 2024-25 season, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup triumphs in 2021-22. On the international stage, Jota earned nearly 50 caps for Portugal, representing his country in Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
The football world collectively mourns the loss of a talented player and, by all accounts, a remarkable individual. The sudden and tragic nature of his passing, especially so soon after a joyous personal milestone, has left many struggling to comprehend the news. Diogo Jota’s legacy on the pitch will be remembered, but more importantly, his impact as a person, a teammate, and a cherished family member will be deeply missed.
Leave a Reply