Portuguese and Liverpool striker Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in the Spanish city of Zamora, just two weeks after his wedding.
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers, was 28 years old.
The Portuguese forward was travelling in a Lamborghini supercar with his younger brother and fellow footballer, André Jota, aged 26, who also died in the crash.
Reports indicate that the Lamborghini’s tyre is believed to have blown out while overtaking on the A-52 near Cernadilla, close to Zamora in northwestern Spain, near the Portuguese border.
The car reportedly veered off the road, rolled several times, and burst into flames in the early hours of the morning. Emergency services responded swiftly, but both brothers could not be saved.
Jota had recently married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children. In what has now become his final Instagram post, shared on Wednesday afternoon, he described himself as “the luckiest man in the world” to be her husband. The post featured moving footage from their June 22 wedding in Porto, Jota’s hometown.
Liverpool FC Releases Statement
Liverpool Football Club confirmed the devastating news and expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of their player.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club has been informed the 28-year-old 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 requests that 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,” read the statement from Liverpool FC.
Widespread Mourning in the Football Community
The English Football Association also issued a message of condolence:
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Diogo’s family, friends and teammates at Liverpool and Portugal.”
UEFA, the governing body for European football, posted a heartfelt message on social media expressing solidarity with those affected by the tragedy:
“On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward, along with his brother André Silva. Our thoughts are with their family, friends, teammates, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.”
Portugal in Mourning
The Portuguese Football Federation released a deeply emotional tribute, mourning the loss of two beloved figures in the national football landscape:
“The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain.
Much more than a fantastic player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by teammates and opponents alike. He carried an infectious joy and was a role model within the football community.
The Portuguese Football Federation extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players were currently playing respectively.
The Federation has already requested a minute of silence before Thursday’s Women’s European Championship match against Spain in honour of Diogo and André.
We have lost two champions. Their passing represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football, and we will do everything in our power to honour their legacy every single day.”
