Liverpool FC and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28 following a car accident in northwestern Spain. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning on the A-52 highway near Zamora, also claimed the life of Jota’s younger brother, André Silva, a 26-year-old professional footballer for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel. The news has sent shockwaves through the global sports community, with tributes pouring in for the talented striker who had recently celebrated his wedding just two weeks prior.
According to reports from Spanish news agency EFE and local outlet Marca, the accident took place shortly after midnight when the Lamborghini Jota was driving veered off the road, reportedly due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. The car subsequently burst into flames, engulfing both occupants. Emergency services, including the Guardia Civil, Zamora fire brigade, and a mobile intensive care unit, rushed to the scene near the town of Cernadilla, but both Jota and his brother were pronounced dead at the location. Witnesses reported that the flames spread to nearby vegetation, underscoring the severity of the crash.
Jota, born in Porto, Portugal, was a pivotal figure for Liverpool since joining the club in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £45 million transfer. Known for his pace, clinical finishing, and versatility, Jota played a key role in Liverpool’s recent successes, including their Premier League title win last season, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022. Across 182 appearances for the Reds, he scored 65 goals, earning admiration from fans and teammates alike. On the international stage, Jota represented Portugal 49 times, netting 14 goals and contributing to two UEFA Nations League titles, including a victory over Spain in June 2025.
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed profound grief in a statement, with president Pedro Proença describing Jota as “an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.” Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also mourned the loss, calling it “a sad day for football and for national and international sport” and extending condolences to the family.
Jota’s death comes just 11 days after he married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in a colourful ceremony in Porto. The couple, who had been together for 13 years, shared their joy in a joint Instagram post, with Cardoso writing, “Sim, para sempre” (“Yes, forever”). Jota leaves behind three children, and the football community has rallied to support his grieving family. Tributes have flooded social media, with figures like TV presenter Piers Morgan calling the news “desperately sad” and fans expressing heartbreak over the loss of a player known for his humility and passion both on and off the pitch.
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Beyond his footballing prowess, Jota was an avid video gamer, owning an eSports team and regularly streaming on Twitch, endearing him to a younger audience. His final social media post, shared hours ago, celebrated his wedding, a poignant reminder of the personal milestones cut short by this tragedy.