Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died alongside his brother in a car crash
Father-of-three Jota married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso recently
LIVE: Follow the latest all news and updates after Diogo Jota’s death aged 28  

Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota posted a gushing message to his wife Rute Cardoso just days before being found dead following a car crash in Spain.

The tragic news emerged in the early hours of Thursday morning after emergency services in northern Spain discovered Jota and his 26-year-old brother Andre, who was also killed in the crash.

Jota’s tragic death has sent shockwaves around the world and to add to the tragedy arrived just 10 days after the father-of-three married his childhood sweetheart Cardoso.

Having tied the knot it appears his final public message to his wife was to cherish his love for her following their marriage in Porto.

Two days ago, Jota left Cardoso a comment on Instagram after his wife wrote ‘my dream came true’ following their wedding.

In response, the 28-year-old wrote: ‘But I’m the lucky one’.

Diogo Jota described himself as the 'lucky one' after marrying his childhood sweetheart
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Diogo Jota described himself as the ‘lucky one’ after marrying his childhood sweetheart

Just 10 days after tying the knot in Porto, Jota (right) tragically died in a car crash in Spain
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Just 10 days after tying the knot in Porto, Jota (right) tragically died in a car crash in Spain

The crash occurred on the A-52 in the province of Zamora. The road in Spain is a key route taken by drivers leaving northern Portugal.

Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash.

‘The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire,’ a statement read.

‘1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.

‘From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.’

His death was confirmed by Pedro Proenca,  head of the Portuguese Football Federation.

He said in a statement: ‘The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.

‘Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

'But I'm the lucky one': The Liverpool star's final public message to wife Cardoso on Instagram
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‘But I’m the lucky one’: The Liverpool star’s final public message to wife Cardoso on Instagram

The footballer also posted to X for the final time five days ago to celebrate his new marriage
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The footballer also posted to X for the final time five days ago to celebrate his new marriage

Jota described himself as the luckiest man in the world in an interview released on Wednesday after the Liverpool star walked down the aisle with his childhood sweetheart in Portugal
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Jota described himself as the luckiest man in the world in an interview released on Wednesday after the Liverpool star walked down the aisle with his childhood sweetheart in Portugal

The Portugal international and Cardoso first got together in 2012, when they were teenagers
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The Portugal international and Cardoso first got together in 2012, when they were teenagers

‘On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

‘The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.

‘Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy’.

In their own statement, Liverpool have been left ‘devastated’ by Jota’s shock death.

Several Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield on Thursday morning to lay flowers and messages in honour of Jota, as the world of football fell into mourning.

The Reds posted to Instagram on Thursday morning: ‘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, Andre.

‘Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’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.’

Diogo and Rute leave the church on June 22. They later said on social media that they had both said: 'Yes to forever.'
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Diogo and Rute leave the church on June 22. They later said on social media that they had both said: ‘Yes to forever.’

They have three children, pictured on the Anfield pitch in May after winning the Premier League
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They have three children, pictured on the Anfield pitch in May after winning the Premier League

Diogo with his wife Rute and two of their children
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Diogo with his wife Rute and two of their children

Jota began his football career at Portuguese outfit Pacos de Ferreira before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2016.

During his time with the Spanish side, he underwent two loan spells at Porto and Wolves before completing a permanent transfer to the Premier League club in 2018.

Two years later, he completed his £41million move to Liverpool – where he made over 100 appearances for the club en route to winning the Premier League title last season.