Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car accident

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car accident

Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 after a car accident in Spain

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Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain. The 28-year-old was travelling with his brother, Andre Silva, in the Zamora region of Sanabria when the incident occurred.

According to the Zamora provincial council, firefighters attended the scene on the A52, known as the Palacios de Sanabria, after the vehicle caught fire.

Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1am on Thursday morning, with the vehicle heading towards nearby Benavente.

Local reports have claimed the accident was the result of a blown-out tyre.

A statement from the Guardia Civil said: "The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking."

"It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora."

"The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed."

The Portugal international married long-time partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. They have three children.

Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in September 2020. His brother, who is two years younger, was a professional for Portuguese second-tier team Penafiel.

An official Liverpool FC statement, released shortly before 10.30am on Thursday morning, read: "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 striker had played an important role in the Reds' Premier League title-winning campaign last season, making 26 appearances and scoring six goals. He had been on holiday after helping Portugal win the UEFA Nations League last month.

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.”

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