Spain: Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, early Thursday, along with his brother Andre Silva, 26. Spanish agency EFE confirmed the accident, which occurred when their car reportedly went off the road and overturned, resulting in fatal injuries for both.
Local reports said Jota had been travelling with Andre Silva, who plays for Portuguese second-division side Penafiel, when the vehicle veered off the A52 highway near Cernadilla. Emergency services responded but could not save them.
The crash comes just two weeks after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in Porto. Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton in 2020 for €44.7 million, going on to score 65 goals and provide 26 assists in 182 appearances. He helped Liverpool to two Premier League titles as well as domestic cup honours.
The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement expressing profound grief, describing Jota as an exceptional footballer and a remarkable person with a joyful spirit respected by teammates and rivals alike. Jota had won nearly 50 caps for Portugal since 2019 and played a role in their UEFA Nations League final win over Spain in Munich earlier this month.
The federation requested UEFA to observe a minute’s silence before Thursday’s Women’s European Championship match against Spain as a mark of respect.
