Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain with his younger brother, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans, former teammates and the wider soccer community. He was 28.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed the news on Thursday morning.
Jota, who won the Premier League title with the Reds last season and played for Portugal’s national team, got married to Rute Cardoso just two weeks ago. The couple have three children together.
The crash occurred in Cernadilla, Zamora, in northwestern Spain. Jota’s brother, André Silva, was also killed, according to the FPF. Silva, 25, played for Penafiel in the second tier of Portuguese soccer.
Spain’s Guardia Civil said in a statement that their investigation “points to a road accident due to a burst tire while overtaking,” which occurred at 00:30 a.m. local time.
The police force added that the car, which Spanish media said was a Lamborghini, subsequently caught fire.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and all the Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain,” the federation said in a statement.
“Much more than a fantastic player with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Joto was an extraordinary person, respected by colleagues and adversaries, someone with a contagious joy and a reference in his own community.”
Jota earned 49 caps for the Portuguese national team, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Post comments (0)