Liverpool forward Diogo Jota killed in car crash

03 Jul 2025, 12:45 by Gavin Cooney · The42

LAST UPDATE | 20 hrs ago

LIVERPOOL AND PORTUGAL forward Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain, at the age of 28. Jota’s brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the accident.

Andre Silva, 26, was also a professional footballer, playing with the Portuguese club FC Penafiel.

Jota, a father of three, was married only last week.

The Spanish Civil Guard said a vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora, confirming the deaths of Jota and Andre.

“Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking,” the Civil Guard said in a statement. The accident occurred near the city of Zamora in Spain, shortly after midnight on Thursday morning.

Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and quickly became a key goalscorer, and was part of their Premier League-winning side last season.

He made 49 appearances for the Portuguese national team, and was due to be part of the Portugal side that will face Ireland in World Cup qualifying later this year.

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota”, read a club statement.

“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.”

“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain”, read a statement from the Portuguese FA.

“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our 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, respectively, performed.

“The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested Uefa to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our national team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship.

“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily.”

Luis Montenegro, the prime minister of Portugal, paid tribute to Jota and his brother on social media.

“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic”, he posted on X.

“I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”

Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also posted on X: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “heartbroken” to learn the devastating news.

“This is a moment where I struggle,” Klopp, who signed Jota in 2020, posted on Instagram.

“There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.

“Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.

“We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them. Rest in peace — Love.”

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports News: “Just in a state of shock. Not with anyone associated to Liverpool but football in general. It is one of the few times when the football family all come together.

“I just cannot believe it. For everybody involved but especially his family – his wife and the children they’ve got, it’s devastating for all involved. I can only imagine how his team-mates feel at Liverpool and Portugal, they must be in a world of pain with his friends and family.

“It just shows us all how quickly life can change. What a summer he’s had, and you get this devastating news that his family have had in the last few hours, you can’t even comprehend it.”