In a devastating turn of events, Premier League footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva have died following a car crash in Spain.
Local police confirmed that the horrific incident took place around 00:30 local time on Thursday morning, along the A-52, a major road connecting Madrid to the northern Spanish region of Galicia.
The crash occurred in the province of Zamora, where the Lamborghini they were traveling in veered off the road and experienced significant impact, resulting in the vehicle catching fire.
Authorities are still investigating the specifics of the crash, including which of the two young men was driving at the time.
Diogo Jota, at 28 years old, was reportedly en route to Santander to catch a ferry back to the United Kingdom for Liverpool’s preseason training.
He had recently undergone minor surgery and had been advised against flying.
Just last month, Jota tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Rute Cardoso in a ceremony held in his hometown of Porto.
The couple has three children together, leaving behind a family grappling with this immense loss.
A wake is anticipated to be held in Porto on Friday, with a funeral service scheduled for Saturday.
In response to the tragic news, Liverpool Football Club expressed deep sorrow over Jota’s passing in an official statement released Thursday.
The club’s leadership acknowledged the overwhelming grief felt within the Liverpool community, stating, “There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy.”
The statement emphasized the necessity of honoring Jota’s memory and supporting his family during such a difficult time.
Jota’s family, which includes his wife Rute and their three children, are suffering an unimaginable loss while the football community collectively mourns two talented individuals.
Liverpool’s management also revealed that plans for tributes would be established to commemorate Jota’s contributions to the club.
Penafiel, the club where Andre Silva played professionally, also released a statement, sharing their condolences for the loss.
They expressed sorrow over the deaths of two young athletes who had so closely and meaningfully impacted the world of football.
The club announced intentions to declare official mourning and pay tribute during future fixtures.
Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, stated that the entirety of Portuguese football was left devastated by the news.
He praised Diogo Jota not just as a remarkable player who secured nearly 50 caps for the national team, but as an exceptional person respected by teammates and opponents alike.
This heartbreaking event is expected to resonate throughout the football world, as UEFA confirmed that a moment of silence would be observed during all matches at the Women’s European Championship.
FIFA also announced similar honors slated for the upcoming Club World Cup quarter-finals in the United States.
Diogo Jota, whose full name is Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 for a fee of £45 million.
He quickly became an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Jota contributed to Liverpool’s success by helping secure both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in his second season, as well as reaching the final of the Champions League.
His versatility allowed him to play effectively both as a centre-forward and a winger, making 182 appearances for Liverpool and scoring 65 goals throughout his time there.
In the latest season, he scored nine goals, contributing to Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph, marking the first league title of his career.
Jota’s final goal for Liverpool was notably the match-winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby on April 2.
Diogo started his professional journey at Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira, making his senior debut in 2014 and accruing 47 appearances for the club.
He was subsequently signed by Atletico Madrid in 2016, but spent that year on loan to Porto, scoring nine goals in 38 appearances.
After a successful loan spell, he moved to Wolves in the EFL Championship for the 2017-18 season, leading the team to promotion as champions and making his move permanent in January 2018.
During his time at Wolves, Jota helped the club achieve their best-ever Premier League finish of seventh in the 2018-19 season.
He remained a key player for the team, finishing with 44 goals in 131 appearances over several seasons.
Jota began representing the Portugal national team in 2019 and earned 49 caps, scoring 14 goals.
He was part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League in both 2019 and 2025.
His last game for Portugal was in the recent final of the Nations League against Spain, where he participated as a substitute during extra-time.
Wolves expressed their shock and sadness in response to Jota’s passing, emphasizing his popularity among fans and teammates alike.
Atletico Madrid also released a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of their former player.
Manchester United joined in sharing condolences, offering their sympathies to all affected by the tragedy.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot conveyed the immense grief felt within the club, describing it as an “unimaginable loss.”
In an emotional statement, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed heartbreak over the news.
He highlighted Jota’s qualities as a player and a person, calling attention to his caring nature as a husband and father.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s teammate on the national team, shared his condolences with Jota’s family and offered them strength during this difficult time.
Andre Silva, the younger brother of Diogo, played for Portuguese side Penafiel after having a career that included stints at youth teams and lesser-known clubs.
Silva had been involved in football primarily at the under-23 level before recently joining Penafiel in July 2023.
Clubs such as Porto and Pacos de Ferreira have also mourned the loss, praising both brothers for their humility and dedication to the sport.
Pacos de Ferreira noted that Jota’s influence had made a lasting impact on the club, positioning him as a role model for younger players in their academy.
They reaffirmed Jota’s place in their history, stating, “His name is part of our history. It always will be. And we will do everything to keep his story, his legacy alive.”
image source from：nytimes
