logo
Liverpool ‘devastated' as striker Diogo Jota and brother killed in car crash just days after fairytale wedding

Liverpool ‘devastated' as striker Diogo Jota and brother killed in car crash just days after fairytale wedding

The deaths of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, also a professional footballer who played for Penafiel, were announced by the Portuguese Football Federation.
According to reports in Spain, the two men died after a car in which they were travelling crashed in Zamora, Spain.
We'll bring you the latest on this developing story in the Irish Independent's rolling coverage below.
Liverpool say they are 'devastated' at the 'unimaginable loss' of Diogo Jota after he was killed in a car crash in Spain.
The Portugal forward died along with his younger brother Andre Silva in the accident in Zamora on Thursday morning.
'Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,' said a 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, team-mates 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.'
Liverpool FC on Twitter / X
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties.
The accident came less than two weeks after Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. The couple have three children together.
Jota had 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 international goals, and last month won the Nations League for a second time.
External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties.
The Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement: 'The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.
'Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his team-mates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.
'On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players.
'We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.'
He signed for Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club, with nine of those goals coming last season as Arne Slot's side won the Premier League title.
Jota also lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup with Liverpool, and was a Champions League runner-up in 2022.
Jota first came to English football when he joined Wolves in the summer of 2017, initially on loan from Atletico Madrid before the deal was made permanent the following summer.
Jota helped Wolves earn promotion as Championship winners in his first season, and in all scored 44 goals in 131 appearances before joining Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £41million plus add ons.
He began his career with Pacos de Ferreira in his native Portugal before earning a move to Atletico Madrid as a 19-year-old.
However, he never played for the LaLiga club, first joining Porto on loan before moving to Molineux where he played under his compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo.
A statement from Porto said: 'Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

'My conscience would be very clean' - Keith Andrews responds to Martin O'Neill's 'vitriolic critic' claim
'My conscience would be very clean' - Keith Andrews responds to Martin O'Neill's 'vitriolic critic' claim

Irish Examiner

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Examiner

'My conscience would be very clean' - Keith Andrews responds to Martin O'Neill's 'vitriolic critic' claim

Keith Andrews could not help but smile when talking about his pride at joining the list of Irishmen to manage in the Premier League. The former Republic of Ireland international was appointed as Brentford's new head coach last week, replacing Thomas Frank who has joined Spurs after seven years in charge. It is Andrews' first head coaching job, having spent the last year working under Frank as the club's set-piece coach. Many were surprised at Andrews' quick ascension into a head coach role, but Brentford had identified Andrews as someone who could one day step into the job, though it has come sooner than even he expected. For the former Republic of Ireland coach, however, this has been a long time in the making. The 44-year-old started on his coaching path when he was 29 and still in the midst of his playing days, having identified his ambition to some day lead a team of his own. Andrews has taken a varied path to get to this point, including becoming a well known pundit, regularly featuring on Sky Sports' EFL coverage to provide his thoughts. He has also not been shy on voicing his criticism in the past, most notably his assessment of Ireland's shortcomings under Martin O'Neill, which he has still not forgotten about. O'Neill, speaking on Talksport ahead of Andrews' expected appointment, labelled the new Brentford boss a 'vitriolic critic' of his and claimed it was ironic that he had become a set-piece coach because of what he described as criticism of O'Neill using set-pieces to win games. 'My conscience would be very clean in terms of where that came from,' Andrews said, reflecting on the criticism he dished out in his punditry days. 'Ireland was the only thing I supported as a kid growing up. I've already touched on it. Very patriotic, very passionate, very proud to be sat here as an Irish Premier League manager. 'So it came from, again, going back to the way I work, I studied the team, gave my opinion, and invariably you can't please people all of the time. And occasionally you do upset people, yeah, for sure.' Then Republic of Ireland Manager Martin O'Neill with former Republic of Ireland International Keith Andrews at a SPAR FAI Primary School 5s launch in 2016 Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile Andrews comes across as calm, cool headed and measured, and despite his inexperience as a head coach, gives the impression that he has long prepared to be in this position, handling tough questions from journalists and articulating himself expertly. But he faces huge pressure to prove his doubters wrong. The reaction from Brentford fans to his appointment has been mixed to say the least, some understandably worried about the hiring of a first-time head coach in a summer where they also look poised to lose star men Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Norgaard. Andrews, however, will once again rely on the determination that he says he has always had to prove his abilities. He explained: 'I'll go back to my memory being on a treadmill when I was 23 years of age. The manager wasn't picking me. It was close season and the manager wasn't picking me. And every time I was taking a stride on the treadmill, I was just picturing them. I was picturing them, I'll come back pre-season, I'll show them. 'I just have an innate desire to be the best I can be. I like achieving things. I think there's something there. So I don't need extra motivation. It's just all internal. Continue to get better. What did I do today? Okay, I'm better than I was yesterday. And that's kind of been the path that I've taken.' Andrews might not be a stranger to being publicly criticised but the role of a Premier League boss comes with being the target of extreme levels of attention and judgement - not just from fans of his own team but football fans in general. 'I think if you want to have a career as a footballer, first and foremost, you need to have resilience,' Andrews calmly explained after being posed with that reality, however. For Brentford, though, Andrews' appointment is not seen as a risk. The club's director of football, Phil Giles, instead pointed to the risks that would come with making an external appointment, someone unfamiliar with the culture and methods that have seen Brentford rise from League Two to the Premier League under owner Matthew Bentham. 'You've got to ignore the outside noise, you have to, because it's all meaningless at the end of the day,' Giles said. 'I think as a club, we've tried to make decisions that maybe on the outside people say, oh, that's a brave decision, things like closing our academy or all the things we've done over the years that have been maybe different to other clubs. 'If you listen to the outside, you would just make the same decisions as anyone else. And we realised that for us to progress, it'd be a bit different to everyone else.' Andrews faces a big task to deliver on that faith shown in him, in what will arguably be Brentford's biggest summer of change since winning promotion to the Premier League. But the former Wolves, MK Dons and Blackburn midfielder is firmly focused on what is to come, refusing to reflect much on what he has achieved to date. He said: 'Am I proud? Are my family proud? Yeah, of course they are but I'm only at base camp. We're not done. I want to continue to keep going.'

Sporting fear Viktor Gyokeres will go on strike THIS WEEK to force Arsenal transfer after gentleman's agreement ‘broken'
Sporting fear Viktor Gyokeres will go on strike THIS WEEK to force Arsenal transfer after gentleman's agreement ‘broken'

The Irish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Sporting fear Viktor Gyokeres will go on strike THIS WEEK to force Arsenal transfer after gentleman's agreement ‘broken'

SPORTING LISBON fear Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres will carry out his threat and go on strike tomorrow. The centre-forward could try to force a move to the Prem by not reporting for the first session of pre-season at the club's Advertisement 2 Viktor Gyokeres is threatening to go on strike from Sporting Lisbon Credit: Getty Swede Gyokeres, also wanted by Sporting know there is massive interest in their star and are demanding at least £68.5m. The Lisbon club's president Frederico Varandas — who has had a public falling out with the former Coventry forward — felt Gyokeres' threat to snub pre-season was just a bluff. Sporting hoped he would return to the Portuguese capital today before meeting up with the squad tomorrow. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Gyokeres got extra time off during the summer following his international duty with But Portuguese sources have told SunSport that Gyokeres, who netted 54 goals in 52 appearances last term, is increasingly unlikely to not turn up. He is angry with the way the situation has been handled, which is great news for Gyokeres has snubbed lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Qadsiah and Al-Hilal — who were prepared to offer him millions — because he would rather play in the Prem. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Varandas said £51.8m in guaranteed payments plus £8.6m in add-ons would not be enough to persuade Sporting to sell their star player. Though a package of just over £60m — with the extra £8.6m tied to achievable targets — might persuade Sporting to do a deal as they will not want to keep an unhappy Gyokeres at the club. Why Mikel Arteta must deliver best team in London a trophy | Arsenal Exposed Arsenal boss Advertisement He wants a new man on the plane when the Gunners fly to Singapore for the start of their pre-season tour on July 19. Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates Frankfurt ace Hugo Ekitike and former Sesko, 22, is due to return to training with Leipzig on Saturday. Advertisement Bundesliga club Leipzig are yet to receive a bid for the Slovenian but must sell at least one big star to balance the books after failing to qualify for Europe. Arsenal have completed a £51m deal for Spain's Martin Zubimendi, 26, with the midfielder set to sign within 36 hours. 2 Advertisement

How Liverpool squad and football world bid farewell to team-mate Diogo Jota
How Liverpool squad and football world bid farewell to team-mate Diogo Jota

Irish Times

time3 hours ago

  • Irish Times

How Liverpool squad and football world bid farewell to team-mate Diogo Jota

The Liverpool squad were united in their grief as they said farewell to team-mate Diogo Jota at the forward's funeral in Portugal on Saturday. A service for the 28-year-old father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso almost a fortnight ago, and his brother Andre Silva was held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, following their deaths in a car crash on Thursday. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson each carried a floral tribute in the shape of a red shirt bearing the respective numbers of the two brothers. Head coach Arne Slot and the majority of the squad were present, as were Michael Edwards – the man who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020 when he was sporting director and is now chief executive of football for owners Fenway Sports Group – current sporting director Richard Hughes and head of physiotherapy Lee Nobes, who would have spent many hours with the player during his injury lay-offs. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was unable to attend his own father's funeral due to Covid restrictions four years ago, is on international duty with Brazil and so could not be present but posted a poignant message on Instagram which read: 'Usually, I post things that make sense but, today, nothing makes sense. 'Once again, an ocean separates me from 'saying goodbye' to someone I love. But I know that I am well represented by my club mates. 'To you, my friend Rute, just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible.' [ Diogo Jota death: Irish international Caoimhín Kelleher pays tribute to 'one of my closest friends in football' Opens in new window ] Many of Jota's former team-mates were present, including ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who on Friday laid flowers at the makeshift shrine outside Anfield; James Milner; Thiago Alcantara, who signed in the same transfer window as Jota; Caoimhin Kelleher; Fabinho; and former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho. Rute Cardoso leans on the arm of Ruben Neves, football player for Alhilal Saudi Club and the Portugal national team, as the coffin of Diogo Jota is carried out. Photograph: Octavio Passos/Getty Liverpool manager Arne Slot the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. Photograph: PA Wire James Milner after the funeral Photograph: PA Wire Manchester City's Portuguese duo Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, another international colleague, were also there, while his best friend Ruben Neves was a pallbearer, having flown in from Florida after playing for Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup on Friday night. Jota's former Wolves boss, who is now Nottingham Forest head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, also attended the service. 'I can't even imagine the pain of the family, of Rute, of the children, of the parents,' Silva told Portuguese broadcaster TVI. 'I must talk a little about Jota, who was a great friend to all of us. His career, although not the most important thing, speaks for itself. 'More important than that, as a person, the memories that remain. Jota will remain in our hearts forever. He will always be present at all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, national team gatherings, PlayStation or card games. 'It is a very tough episode for all of us, because we spent a lot of time together. The memories I have with him are fantastic. These happy memories will remain, he will be present in every victory. 'We were rivals and team-mates for many years. He became a great friend. He was present at my wedding. Unfortunately, I wasn't at his, because I was at the Club World Cup. It is a family that will always be with us and that we will try to preserve.' Nuno Espirito Santo, manager of Nottingham Forest, with wife Sandra Espirito Santo. Photograph: Octavio Passos/Getty Wreath in shape of football jerseys are displayed at the entrance of the cemetery after the funeral ceremony. Photograph: Miguel Riopa/AFP/Getty Tributes at Anfield Stadium. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire Players from Penafiel, the team for whom Jota's brother played, also attended. A wake was held on Friday for the pair before the coffins were carried into church on Saturday morning followed by mourners, led by Jota's wife and family. After the service, which was broadcast to hundreds standing outside, they were taken to the cemetery next to the church for a private ceremony. A seventh-day mass will be held on Wednesday. Jota's national team manager Roberto Martinez, who was also in attendance, said: 'They are really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we have shown we are a very large but close family. 'It was essential for us that, [with] Andre Silva and Diogo Jota, we are together and we will always be together and their spirit will be with us forever. 'Thank you very much for your messages, for your support and everything that we have received [from] all over the world. It means a lot and, today, we are all one football family.' Reports say that Liverpool have committed to paying out the remainder of Jota's two-year contract to his family. Everton manager David Moyes and assistant Alan Irvine lay a tribute at Anfield Stadium. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire Tributes continue to be left at Anfield, where Everton manager David Moyes and assistant Alan Irvine laid flowers on Saturday with the message: 'With heartfelt sympathy, from David Moyes and everyone at Everton Football Club.' Manchester City-supporting brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher paid their own tribute at Oasis' comeback gig at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday night when, during the final bars of Live Forever, a picture of Jota was displayed to cheers and applause. – PA

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store