The football world is in shock after news broke that Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, lost his life in a car crash in the Zamora province, of northwestern Spain. His younger brother, André Filipe da Silva, 26, also died in the accident. The brothers were travelling early Thursday on the Rias Bajas Highway (A‑52) near Palacios de Sanabria when their Lamborghini reportedly veered off the road and caught fire after what is suspected to be a tyre blowout. Spanish emergency services confirmed both men died at the scene. A statement from the Guardia Civil has said : “The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking.”
Less than two weeks ago on June 22, Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in an intimate ceremony. The couple, who have been together for over a decade and half since high school shared three young children. Jota’s brother André, was also a professional footballer with a promising career.
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and quickly became a fan favourite, celebrated for his electric pace, clinical finishing, and unwavering work ethic. In five seasons at Anfield, he amassed 123 appearances and netted 47 goals, contributing to their 2024–25 Premier League triumph. Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal and was part of their UEFA Nations League-winning squads in both 2019 and 2025.
This tragic incident has triggered an outpouring of grief across the football community and beyond. Portugal’s Prime Minister in a message originally posted in Portuguese, wrote,
“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”
Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, expressed “the nation’s sorrow in a statement, writing:
“The Portuguese Football Federation and the whole of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain.”
Liverpool FC, Jota’s club since 2020, shared their anguish in an official statement on their website, writing that they are “devastated” and have requested privacy for the brothers’ loved ones, assuring them of the club’s “full support”.
The brothers’ former club FC Porto wrote :
“FC Porto is in mourning.
It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks.
Rest in peace.”
Atletico de Madrid, where Jota had a brief spell, also posted a tribute, sharing a photo of him in their colours and expressing their condolences while describing the news as deeply shocking.
The Portuguese Football Federation have requested UEFA to hold a minute’s silence in the athletes’ memory ahead of the Women’s Euro 2025 match Thursday night, as their country plays its match of the tournament against Spain.
