Chelsea pay tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota, 28, following his death just days after wedding

Chelsea have paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after the pair were tragically killed in a car crash in Spain.

Jota, 28, was with his brother, who was also a professional footballer who played for Penafiel, in the Zamora region of Sanabria on Thursday morning when the vehicle they were travelling in left the road and burst into flames. In a statement Liverpool said: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

"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 sad news has resulted in an outpouring of emotion across the globe, with Chelsea sending their condolences to Jota's friends, family and all at Liverpool Football Club.

In a statement published on X, Chelsea said: "Everyone at Chelsea FC is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre. Our thoughts go out to their family, friends and all at Liverpool FC at this incredibly difficult time."

Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso just last month. The pair have three children together.

A statement released by the Portuguese Football Federation said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and the whole of Portuguese football 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 almost 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his team-mates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference point in his own community.

“On behalf of myself and the Portuguese Football Federation, I would like to 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 the players played for respectively.

“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA to hold a minute’s silence this Thursday ahead of our national team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship.

“We’ve lost two champions. The deaths of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy on a daily basis.”