Liverpool striker Diogo Jota dies in car crash

The 28-year-old Portuguese international died near Zamora, in the northwest of Spain. Jota's brother, Andre Silva, also a professional footballer in Portugal, also perished in the accident.

The sports world was in shock on Thursday following the news that Portuguese professional footballer Diogo Jota had tragically died in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The 28-year-old Liverpool striker was driving with his brother, Andre Silva, when their car suffered a tire blow-out and came off the road near Zamora in northwestern Spain at approximately 00:30 on Thursday.

According to a statement from the Guardia Civil, "the car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed."

The accident occured just ten days after Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three young children.

It also came just a month after Jota had been part of the Portugal team which won the Nations League in Munich, and just two months after winning the English Premier League with Liverpool.

Jota also won the FA Cup and the League Cup in his time at Liverpool, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club.

What have the reactions been?

"Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," the club posted on X.

Legendary former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp said on Instagram that he was "heartbroken," adding: "This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!"

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said: "It doesn't make sense."

The Portuguese Football Federation have called on UEFA, European soccer's governing body, to "hold 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 Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily," the federation posted on X.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said "the news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal's name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports."

The German Football Federation posted on X: "We were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, Liverpool FC, and the Portuguese Football Federation. Os nossos sentimentos."

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher