Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in the horror smash in Spain this morning

Spanish police have issued a statement after Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother died in a car crash.

Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 26, who was also a professional footballer, were killed when their Lamborghini came off the road and burst into flames in the early hours of Thursday.

The tragedy came just 10 days after Portuguese international Jota married his long term partner Rute Cardoso in Portugal.

In a statement, the Guardia Civil said: “We can now bring you the full statement from the Guardia Civil, given verbally, confirming the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Felipe.

“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.

“It was in the early hours, 12.30am, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.”

When asked to confirm the identities of those involved, the Guardia Civil said: “The player and his brother, Andre Felipe.”

The tragedy came just 10 days after Portuguese international Jota married his long term partner Rute Cardoso in Portugal(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Jota was part of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. In a statement this morning the Anfield club said: “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.”

Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

In a statement the Portuguese Football Federation said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.

“Diogo Jota 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.

“He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community. On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players.

“The Portuguese Football Federation has asked UEFA to hold a minute’s silence ahead of our national team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship on Thursday. We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”