2025-07-03T08:46:13Z

---

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28. The shocking news surfaced after a fatal car accident involving Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, also a professional footballer who represented Penafiel. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in Zamora, Spain, leaving the football community reeling.

According to a preliminary report from the Guardia Civil, the Spanish law enforcement agency, the car involved in the accident was a luxury Lamborghini. The vehicle reportedly lost control due to a tyre blowout while attempting to overtake another vehicle on the road. Witnesses claim the crash happened around 00:30 BST in the municipality of Cernadilla, located in the province of Zamora. Following the collision, the vehicle caught fire, leading to the untimely deaths of both occupants.

The Portuguese Football Federation issued an emotional statement expressing their grief over the loss of these two talented players. “The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning,” the statement read. It emphasized Jota's significant contributions to the national team, where he earned nearly 50 caps and scored 14 goals. He was remembered not just for his skills on the pitch but also as an extraordinary individual who was well-respected by his teammates and opponents alike.

“On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players,” the statement continued. “We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”

This devastating accident comes just under two weeks after Jota celebrated his marriage to long-time partner Rute Cardoso. Together, they had built a family with three children. Jota's career was marked by numerous achievements, including winning the Nations League for Portugal last month, and he was a key player for Liverpool FC since joining from Wolves in 2020. During his time at Liverpool, he netted 65 goals in 182 appearances, contributing significantly to the team’s success, including their recent Premier League title.

Before his successful stint at Liverpool, Jota first made his way into English football when he joined Wolves in the summer of 2017 on loan from Atletico Madrid. His performance was instrumental in helping Wolves earn promotion to the Premier League, where he scored 44 goals in 131 appearances. Jota's journey began in his native Portugal with Pacos de Ferreira, and he later moved on to Atletico Madrid when he was just 19, although he never played a competitive match for the club before loan spells took him to Porto and ultimately to Wolves.

As the football community mourns this profound loss, tributes and memories of Jota’s vibrant spirit and remarkable talent are sure to pour in from fans and fellow athletes alike.