Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies in car crash
Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother died in a car crash in northwestern Spain on Thursday, police said, weeks after the star got married.
The Civil Guard said a vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora, confirming the deaths of Jota, 28, and his brother Andre.
"Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking," the Civil Guard said in a statement.
Portuguese football federation president Pedro Proenca wrote on social media that he was "devastated", calling Jota "an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents, someone blessed with an infectious joy and a reference for his own community".
Proenca said they had asked UEFA for a minute's silence before Portugal's Women's Euro 2025 match against Spain in Switzerland on Thursday.
"We have lost two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva are irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything possible to honour their legacy every day," Proenca added.
Jota had married his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, posting a video of their wedding on Instagram just hours before the accident.
They had three children.
The former Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers star scored nine goals in all competitions last season as Liverpool cruised to their 20th Premier League title.
"Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre We will all miss you," Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said in his message.
Liverpool 'devastated'
Liverpool said on Thursday that the club had been left "devastated" by the death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother in a car crash in Spain.
Spanish police said a vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the northern province of Zamora.
Jota, 28, got married to his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple had three children.
He spent the last five years at Anfield and helped the English giants win the Premier League last season.
"Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," the club said in 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, 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."
Fans were quick to arrive at Anfield following the news and laid down tributes of their own, including scarves, wreaths and flowers.
Capped 49 times by Portugal, Jota previously played with Atletico Madrid and Porto before moving to England in 2017 with Wolves.
His impressive form earned a £45 million ($62 million) move to Liverpool three years later where he quickly became a fans' favourite thanks to his goalscoring prowess.
Jota scored 65 times for the Reds and also lifted the League Cup and FA Cup in the 2021/22 season.
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