LIVERPOOL star Diogo Jota was reportedly heading to catch a ferry and return to the UK when he died in a car crash alongside his brother.
The 28-year-old Portuguese forward was driving through Zamora, Spain in a Lamborghini when his flat tyre suddenly burst and sent the car veering off the road, police believe.
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Diogo Jota played on the wing and up front for LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
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General view of the crash site where Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva lost their livesCredit: Getty
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Jota celebrating winning the Premier League this season with his family at AnfieldCredit: Instagram
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Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota got married on June 22Credit: fk.felippekatia
His brother André Silva, 25, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, was also in the car when it caught fire after crashing, killing both men.
Jota had married his high school sweetheart Rute Cardoso just 10 days earlier.
The crash occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria at around 12:40am (11:40pm UK time), local police confirmed.
The dad-of-three was believed to have been driving a luxury acid green Lamborghini Huracan and travelling towards a port in the northern city of Santander.
He was due to catch a ferry this morning after being advised not to take a plane due to a recent lung surgery, according to CNN Portugal.
The Portuguese ace had missed several matches last season after suffering a rib injury in October during a match against Chelsea.
Jota was due to return to Liverpool to take part in the club’s pre season games which start later this month.
The Liverpool star is said to have had lunch with his wife and three children hours before his death in a paradise Atlantic Ocean resort dubbed “the most beautiful land” in Portugal.
Emergency crews rushed to the crash site in the early hours of the morning and managed to put out the flames.
What we know so far:
Diogo Jota has died aged 28 in a car crash alongside his brother André
Liverpool FC coming to terms with “unimaginable loss”
Liverpool ace’s tragic final post just hours before dying in car crash
Tributes for star forward pour in including Prince William and ex-Liverpool greats
Jota only got married 10 days ago to longterm partner Rute Cardoso
Heartbroken Cristiano Ronaldo says crash “doesn’t make sense”
Read Portuguese FA’s heartbreaking statement in full
Jota was one of football’s good guys
Wreckage pictures from the side of the road appear to show the brothers were in an £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder.
The supercar can reach speeds of over 200mph depending on the model.
Both brothers were tragically pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Zamora Provincial Council.
Their bodies were taken to a forensics unit in Zamora so autopsies could be performed.
Rute was being consoled as she went about the harrowing task of assisting coroner’s officials attempting to identify her husband’s body.
She and other family members were reportedly seen comforting one another after arriving at the Zamora forensics unit.
A spokesman for the sub-delegation of the Government of Zamora said the bodies are yet to be “100% confirmed” as the brothers with fingerprint and DNA tests needing to be carried out.
However the bodies were reported to have been released for burial and on their way to Portugal.
Sources claim they would be taken to the Chapel of the Resurrection in their home town of Gondomar.
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Typically, funerals are held soon after death in Spain and Portugal, with the tragic pair likely to be laid to rest this weekend.
Police are said to be looking into the crash as “a possible speeding incident”, according to a government source.
The crash occurred in the tiny municipality of Cernadilla at a notorious accident black spot.
A town hall official described the A-52 highway where the tragedy occurred as “very dangerous”.
Meanwhile another town hall source said: “As it passes through Cernadilla it is full of bends at 120 kilometres per hour.
“Exceeding the speed limit or poor visibility at night are often the cause of accidents in these areas.”
Jota played on the left wing and up front for Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020 for a fee of £41million.
Liverpool FC paid a touching tribute to Jota as they said: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”
They added that everyone at the club is still coming to terms with the “unimaginable loss”.
The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence.
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The crash occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria at around 12:40amCredit: PA
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Jota pictured (right) with his wife and brother AndréCredit: Instagram
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Jota pictured with Cristiano Ronaldo while playing for PortugalCredit: Getty
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A funeral car arrives at the forensic institute in Zamora where the brothers’ bodies are being heldCredit: AP
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Jota pictured with his brother André when they were both at PortoCredit: FC Porto
The Portuguese national football team have said they are “devastated” by Jota’s death.
They added that he “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”.
Jota had got married just 10 days ago to his longterm partner Rute Cardoso and the couple have three children, Dinis, Duarte, and a daughter who was born in 2024.
The couple shared pictures of themselves in front of the altar with their kids on their big day.
In the caption, they said: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
The Instagram post received over 190,000 likes and over 1,000 comments.
And it included love heart emojis from fellow Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez and Natalia Becker, wife of goalkeeper Alisson.
The Premier League described Jota – who won the competition for the first time earlier this year – as a “champion who will be forever missed”.
Both brothers’ former club FC Porto also paid tribute, saying: “Futebol Clube do Porto is in mourning.
“It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
UEFA confirmed there will be a minute silence during tonight’s Women’s Euros match between Spain and Portugal.
Personal tributes have also been flooding in for the star, with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo honouring the footballing brothers.
He said on Instagram: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the selection, you had gotten married now.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish you all the strength in the world.
“I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Lionel Messi posted a touching image of Jota making a heart symbol with his hands with the message “QEPD” – short for the Spanish phrase “que en paz descanse” which translates to “may he rest in peace”.
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Floral tributes have been laid outside AnfieldCredit: PA
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A young Jota with his wife RuteCredit: Instagram
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Jota celebrates with the trophy after winning the Nations League with PortugalCredit: Reuters
Liverpool’s number nine, Darwin Nunez, shared an image of a beaming Jota coming on as a substitute for the Uruguayan last season.
The star striker said he will always remember Jota for his smile.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shared his own statement on his “great friend”.
The German, who signed Jota from Wolves for £45m in 2020, said on social media: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it.”
He continued: “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.
“We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them.”
Fellow Liverpool icons such as Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and David James have all also paid their respects.
Carragher posted on Instagram: “Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute and their three kids.”
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Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota had shared a post ‘yes to forever’ after they wedCredit: fk.felippekatia
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Jota joined Liverpool back in 2020Credit: PA
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added that Jota’s death is “devastating news”.
He told reporters today: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
“But there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.”
As Prince William said on X: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.”
Ex-player and pundit Gary Neville, Newcastle hero Alan Shearer and TV presenter Piers Morgan all described the news as “heartbreaking”.
David Beckham also paid his respects.
Full statement from Liverpool FC
LIVERPOOL Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, André.
Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
We will continue to provide them with our full support.
Jota’s international teammate Ruben Neves posted online: “They say we only lose people when we forget about them.
“I’ll never forget you!”
Lamborghini have also addressed the crash involving one of their cars as they told The Sun: “We are saddened to learn of the accident that occurred in Spain involving a Lamborghini, in which Diogo and André Jota tragically lost their lives.
“In this moment of deep sorrow, we extend our heartfelt condolences to their family.”
The Portuguese forward started his career in his birthplace of Porto, playing for Paços de Ferreira.
He made his first Primeira Liga appearance in 2015 and a year later moved to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.
But the diminutive striker never made an appearance in La Liga and spent a year on loan at FC Porto where he scored eight goals.
This caught the eye of then-Championship side Wolves who loaned the 20-year-old before making the move permanent for a reported £12million.
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Jota’s former teammate Ruben Neves paid tribute saying he will ‘never forget’ his fellow countrymanCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher paid tribute on social mediaCredit: X
His 17 goals helped propel Wolves to the Premier League where he continued to impress at the highest level, scoring 16 goals over the following two seasons.
Then in 2020, Klopp bolstered Liverpool’s attack by bringing in Jota.
In five seasons at the club, he scored 47 Premier League goals and helped Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup and two Carabao Cups.
Jota was also been a mainstay in Portugal‘s national team for the past five years, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances for his country.
Earlier this summer, he won the UEFA Nations League, coming on as a substitute in the final against Spain.
A tribute to Diogo Jota
By Sun Sports News Columnist, Dan King
DIOGO Jota won every major honour in English football with Liverpool before a car crash cruelly cut short his life.
But the pain of Jota’s death will also be felt particularly hard at Wolves, where he played a key role in the club’s transformation, as well as in his native Portugal.
The versatile forward was part of the squad that won a second Nations League title last month.
And in the last fortnight, Jota had married long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
His sudden death at the age of 28, along with brother and fellow footballer Andre in an horrific accident, is heartbreaking.
Because Jota was not only a highly gifted footballer, he was also one of the good guys.
An intelligent, thoughtful man, who spoke English better than some natives and who dedicated himself to his career and family.
By helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last season, Jota completed the full set of domestic trophies after the Reds lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in 2021/22.
Although injury and competition for places restricted Jota’s contribution, he still scored key goals as Arne Slot’s side claimed a record-equalling 20th English championship.
What turned out to be the last of his 65 strikes for the Reds was the only goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in February.
It was typical Jota. While Everton defenders hesitated, the small but strong Portuguese forward bustled on to the ball, beat two men and buried the ball in the net.
Jota had bumps in the road before reaching the top of the game with Liverpool and Portugal.
After making his debut for Pacos de Ferreira at the age of 17, he moved to Atletico Madrid at 19.
But he soon went on loan to Porto, where he did well enough to attract the attention of ambitious Wolves, who were then in the Championship.
In his first season in England, he scored 17 league goals to fire the club back into the Premier League as champions.
Jota was a popular member of the dressing room which featured a strong Portuguese contingent.
He held his own in the top flight, but there was some surprise when Liverpool signed him in a deal worth up to £45m.
Yet in his five seasons at Anfield, he played an important role in the Reds’ potent front four as the club claimed English honours and went close to European glory.
Jota scored 21 times as Jurgen Klopp’s side hunted down a Quadruple in 2021/2, winning the domestic cups, taking the title race to the final day and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
His total of 65 goals in 182 appearances does not tell the full story of his contribution on and off the field.
After coming close more than once, it was special for Jota finally to lift the Premier League trophy in May.
For Portugal, Jota was part of a generation that delivered glory.
He was uncapped when selected in the squad for the Nations League final stages on home soil in 2019 and did not feature, making his debut later in the year.
Jota would go on to score 14 in 49 appearances. His last was as an extra-time substitute in last month’s Nations League final against Spain, which Portugal won on penalties.
That triumph was part of what was surely the best year of Jota’s life. For it to have ended, in such terrible circumstances, is incomprehensible.
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Ronaldo said Jota’s death ‘doesn’t make sense’Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Jota won every domestic trophy available during his time in EnglandCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
