On July 3, 2025, Liverpool FC confirmed the devastating news that their star forward Diogo Jota, aged 28, died in a car crash in northwestern Spain, alongside his brother André Silva, 26, early Thursday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:35 AM WAT on the A-52 motorway in the province of Zamora, when the Lamborghini they were traveling in veered off the road, overturned, and burst into flames. Spanish emergency services, including the Traffic Civil Guard, Fire Brigade, and Medical Emergency Unit, arrived at the scene and confirmed the deaths of both occupants, with no other vehicles involved.
Jota, who had married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025, in a private ceremony in Porto, was on a post-wedding vacation with his family. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) expressed profound sorrow, stating, “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain. Far beyond being an exceptional player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, with a contagious joy.” Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described the loss as “unexpected and tragic,” honoring Jota’s contributions to the nation.
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals, and played a pivotal role in the club’s 2024-2025 Premier League title win, as well as securing the FA Cup and two League Cups. He also earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals, including during their UEFA Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025. His brother André, a professional footballer with the Portuguese second-division club Penafiel, shared a similar passion for the sport. Liverpool FC released a statement: “We are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
The crash, preliminarily attributed to a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle, is under investigation by Spanish authorities. Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville expressing heartbreak, and Atlético Madrid, where Jota played on loan, noting their shock at the “tragic news.” The FPF has requested a minute’s silence before Portugal’s women’s Euro match against Spain on Thursday. Jota leaves behind his wife Rute and their three young children, aged between seven months and four years, plunging the global football community into mourning.