Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash at the age of 28, alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva. The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday in Zamora, a province in northwestern Spain.
According to Spanish police, the Guardia Civil, the brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini when the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another car. The car veered off the road and caught fire around 00:30 local time. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Andre Silva, 26, was also a professional footballer, playing in Portugal’s second tier with Penafiel. The siblings were said to be close, having shared footballing roots, with both spending time at FC Porto earlier in their careers.
Jota had only recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso in a ceremony held on 22 June. The couple shared three children. Jota had posted images of the celebration on social media just days before the tragedy.
The forward played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season and had recently represented Portugal in their UEFA Nations League victory over Spain in June. With nearly 50 international caps, he was regarded as a key figure in Portuguese football.
In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) expressed its devastation:
“Much more than an amazing player, 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. We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily.”
UEFA has granted the FPF’s request for a minute’s silence to be observed before Portugal’s Women’s Euro fixture against Spain on Thursday evening.
Liverpool FC also released a statement, saying:
“It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Rest in peace.”
Tributes continue to pour in from across the football world as the sport mourns the loss of two promising lives cut tragically short.
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