Diogo Jota, Liverpool soccer star, dead alongside brother in car crash
The Portuguese soccer star's 25-year-old brother, André Silva, also died in the car crash near the northwestern city of Zamora, authorities said.
The crash occurred past midnight local time. Police said they were investigating the causes of the crash and the bodies were undergoing forensic analysis. Authorities have not confirmed which brother was behind the wheel of the car when the crash occurred.
'In the absence of a conclusion of the experts evidence, everything points that a car left the road, due to a tire blowout while overtaking,' the police said.
The brothers were driving eastward along an isolated stretch of highway, about an hour west of Zamora, when the crash took place.
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'The car was incinerated, and they died inside,' Spanish government official Ángel Blanco said.
Jota and Silva, both Portuguese soccer players, were the only ones in the car, according to police.
Jota had recently gotten married to his longtime girlfriend — his high-school sweetheart — Rute Cardoso, on June 22, just 10 days before his death. They share three children.
'A day we will never forget,' he captioned a video of their wedding day, shared on Instagram.
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Spanish media have published images of the crash's aftermath. Photos show tire marks streaking across and off the road toward damaged guardrails, and the burnt car can be seen several metres away.
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A view from the traffic crash of the Portuguese Liverpool player Diogo Jota, who lost his life in Zamora, Spain on July 3, 2025. Nico Rodriguez/Anadolu via Getty Images
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General view of the crash site where Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva lost their lives, showing the wreckage of the Lamborghini Huracan at kilometre 65 of the A-52, near the town of Cernadilla, close to Zamora, Spain.Firefighters were called in as flames from the crash spread into nearby vegetation, authorities said.
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Liverpool Football Club issued a statement following Jota's death, saying it was 'devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.'
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
'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,' Liverpool added.
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The Portuguese national team also paid tribute to Jota in a statement, writing, '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.'
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'Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 appearances 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,' the statement continued.
'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 also requested that UEFA '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.'
A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol e todo o Futebol português estão completamente devastados com a morte de Diogo Jota e do seu irmão André Silva, esta madrugada, em Espanha.
Muito mais do que o fantástico jogador, com quase 50 internacionalizações pela Seleção Nacional A, Diogo… pic.twitter.com/yR9TII2h3K
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2025
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UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected 'by this heartbreaking loss.' It confirmed that a moment of silence will be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday.
A moment of silence will be observed at all of today's and tomorrow's UEFA Women's EURO 2025 matches in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva who tragically passed away today.
— UEFA (@UEFA) July 3, 2025
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro commented on the 'unexpected and tragic' deaths. He said Jota was 'an athlete who greatly honored Portugal's name.'
'I extend my deepest condolences to their family,' he said. 'It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports.'
A notícia da morte de Diogo Jota, um atleta que muito honrou o nome de Portugal, e do seu irmão é inesperada e trágica. Deixo aos familiares as mais sentidas condolências. É um dia triste para o futebol e para o desporto nacional e internacional.
— Luís Montenegro (@LMontenegro_PT) July 3, 2025
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talked about the 'devastating news.'
'I am sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular,' he said. 'There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non-fans who will also be shocked by this. It is devastating and really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.'
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota's Portugal teammate, said, 'It doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married.'
'My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.'
Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… pic.twitter.com/H1qSTvPoQs
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025
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The Premier League said it was 'shocked and devastated.'
'Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time,' it said. 'Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.'
Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion… pic.twitter.com/KG4coUHY1P
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 3, 2025
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher wrote, '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
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Stan Collymore, another former Liverpool player, wrote, 'I'm sure like many in the football family there's just a profound sense of shock, sadness and disbelief at the new of Diogo Jota's death at the unfathomably young age of 28. Newly married too.'
I'm sure like many in the football family there's just a profound sense of shock, sadness and disbelief at the news of Diogo Jota's death at the unfathomably young age of 28. Newly married too.
Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool… pic.twitter.com/hDDk5689rp
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) July 3, 2025
Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez shared a photo of himself and Jota celebrating a goal together, writing, 'There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you by your smile, as a good teammate on and off the pitch.'
'I send all my strength to his family, wherever he is I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and three children. RIP Diogo and André.'
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LeBron James took to X to share his condolences, writing, 'My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected.'
My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️ https://t.co/B3tYVJJxkA
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 3, 2025
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Tennis player Rafael Nadal called Jota's death 'sad and painful news.'
'All my love, affection and support go out to his wife, children, family and friends at this difficult time,' Nadal added.
Qué noticia tan triste y dolorosa 😔
Todo mi cariño, mi afecto y mi apoyo para su mujer, sus hijos, sus familiares y sus amigos en un momento tan difícil.
Descansad en Paz, Diogo Jota y André Silva. https://t.co/KohpGTnz1Q
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) July 3, 2025
Liverpool fans gathered outside Anfield, Liverpool's stadium, on Thursday morning, leaving flowers, jerseys and other tributes to Jota.
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Tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota, who has died at the age of 28. Picture date: Thursday, July 3, 2025. Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images
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People pay their respects as tributes are laid for Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 3, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The Liverpool player and Portugal international died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain at the age of 28.Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club — including the Premier League title last season.
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— With files from The Associated Press
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Liverpool player Diogo Jota, brother killed in a car accident in Spain
Published Jul 03, 2025 • 3 minute read Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates scoring during the Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich, Saturday Aug. 14, 2021. Photo by Joe Giddens / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. MADRID (AP) — Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora. Firefighters were called in as the fire spread into the nearby vegetation, authorities said. Police were investigating the causes of the accident that happened past midnight local time. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The bodies were undergoing forensic analysis. It wasn't clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tire. The accident occurred while they were driving eastward along an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora. The 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, both Portuguese players, were the only ones in the car, police said. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jota's death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso and in a social media post wrote, 'Yes to forever.' They had three children, the youngest born last year. Jota also played for Portugal's national team and helped it win the Nations League last month. Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions. Liverpool said the club was 'devastated by the tragic passing.' '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.' Tributes are laid for Liverpool player Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 03, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The current Liverpool player and Portugal international Jota died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain at the age of 28. Photo by Jess Hornby / Getty Images Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club — including the Premier League title last season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proenca said Portuguese soccer was 'completely devastated.' 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Reaction also started pouring in from across the world, including from non-soccer players such as NBA star Lebron James and tennis legend Rafael Nadal. 'It doesn't make any sense,' Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said. 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Former club Porto and former teammates lamented the deaths and sent condolences, as did other clubs, federations and leagues. The Premier League said it was 'shocked and devastated.' 'Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time,' it said. 'Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. 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