The football fraternity has been rocked by the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a road traffic accident.
The 28-year-old Liverpool forward and his brother Andre, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, were involved in the tragic accident that occurred on Thursday morning at 00:30 local time in Zamora, northwestern Spain.
Liverpool have released a statement saying the club is “devastated” by Jota’s tragic passing.
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
The club wrote: “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.”
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that witnesses who called 112 said the car was engulfed in flames. It has been claimed that one of the car’s tires may have burst, causing it to leave the road and burst into flames.
Only 11 days ago, Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto. They have three children together.
Tributes flooding in for Diogo Jota
Gary Neville wrote: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”
Ruben Neves wrote: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”
That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family 💔
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) July 3, 2025
Jamie Carragher wrote on X: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning.
Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids 💔 pic.twitter.com/BSYBL5yVre— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 3, 2025
The Portuguese FA also released a statement.
It read: “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.
“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.”