Diogo Jota: Liverpool forward dies in car accident in Spain
Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Tragically Dies in Car Crash in Spain at 28
Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has died in a tragic car accident in Spain at the age of 28. The crash also claimed the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva, 26, a professional footballer for Liga Portugal 2 club Penafiel.
The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of the morning in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. Spain’s Guardia Civil confirmed the accident happened around 12:30am local time (11:30pm BST) on the A-52 motorway. According to their statement, the vehicle veered off the road and caught fire after suffering a tyre blowout while attempting to overtake.
Just under two weeks prior to the accident, Jota had married his long-time partner. The couple share three children together.
Jota began his football journey in Portugal, rising through the ranks at Paços de Ferreira before signing with Atlético Madrid in 2016. Although he didn’t feature for the Spanish side, he was loaned to Porto and later Wolves, where he impressed enough to earn a permanent move in 2018. He spent two successful seasons at Molineux under manager Nuno Espírito Santo before joining Liverpool in 2020.
During his time at Anfield, Jota made over 180 appearances and was instrumental in securing several trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. He also played a part in Liverpool’s run to the 2022 UEFA Champions League final, coming off the bench in their 1-0 loss to Real Madrid.
On the international stage, Jota earned nearly 50 caps for Portugal, making his debut in November 2019. He featured in the UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 tournaments and helped his national team win the UEFA Nations League twice, most recently in May. Unfortunately, he missed the 2022 World Cup due to injury.
Following news of his passing, tributes have poured in from across the football world. FC Porto, where both brothers once played, expressed deep sorrow in a statement:
“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 Andre Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
Former Liverpool defender and current Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher posted:
“Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone in their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville also shared his condolences, calling the news “heartbreaking” and extending his love and support to the Jota family.
The Portuguese Football Federation released an emotional statement, calling the loss “utterly devastating” and praising Jota not just as a talented player but as a remarkable individual:
“Diogo Jota wasn’t only an outstanding footballer; he was a wonderful person, admired by teammates, opponents, and fans alike. His joyful personality and dedication made him a role model both on and off the pitch.”
They also confirmed that a minute of silence would be held before Portugal’s Women’s Euro match against Spain on Thursday evening in tribute to the brothers.
Jota’s career path saw him develop from a local talent in Paços de Ferreira to a globally recognized forward at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs. His passion, professionalism, and humility won him the respect and admiration of fans, teammates, and coaches around the world.
His sudden and tragic death, along with that of his brother, has left the footballing world in mourning. As tributes continue to pour in, both players are being remembered not just for their contributions to the game but for the impact they had as individuals.
Their legacy, as stated by the Portuguese FA, is one that will be honored for years to come.
