Liverpool's Diogo Jota dies in Spain car accident
The crash was initially reported by Spanish state-owned TV, citing local firefighters, with Jota's 26-year-old brother, a footballer for FC Penafiel, also in the vehicle.
Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation, confirmed the deaths, expressing profound devastation and highlighting Jota's character and contributions.
Portuguese prime minister Luis Montenegro extended his deepest condolences, describing the news as unexpected, tragic, and a sad day for sports.
Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020 and won multiple titles, had recently married and was a key attacker for the club.
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Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool fans call for gesture club has never made after Diogo Jota's death
Diogo Jota, who has died at the age of 28 after a car crash in Spain, fittingly wore the number 20 shirt as Liverpool lifted their 20th English league title in May Liverpool fans have appealed for the club to retire the number 20 shirt as a mark of respect to the late Diogo Jota. The football world is in a state of mourning after the Reds and Portugal striker, 28, along with his brother Andre Silva, 26, died in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Spanish authorities said the siblings were found dead after their car went off a road near the city of Zamora. Police suspect the crash was caused by a tire blowout. Liverpool said the club had been left 'devastated' by the news, calling it an 'unimaginable loss'. The Portuguese Football Federation said: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.' Jota scored six goals in 26 appearances as Liverpool won the 2024/25 Premier League title. It was the Reds' 20th English top-flight crown, with Jota coincidentally wearing the number 20 shirt. In light of the devastating news, some Liverpool fans have taken to social media to urge the club to retire that shirt number as a mark of respect, a gesture the club has never previously made. One supporter said: 'Diogo Jota won Liverpool's 20th title, while wearing #20. Retire the number.' Another poignantly added: 'Football is the most unimportant thing right now, but I hope Liverpool retire number 20. It would feel wrong for most supporters seeing anyone else wear it after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - but mainly as a sign of respect and gratitude for everything he did and who he was.' A third agreed: 'The only comfort I can think of is Diogo Jota had probably the best month or so of his life winning the Premier League with Liverpool, Nations League with Portugal and had a wonderful wedding with his wife and kids before he tragically passed away. Will always be a legend and our lad from Portugal. @LFC need to retire the No.20 shirt though in his honour.' Another fan concurred, adding: 'Would love for the club to retire the number 20 jersey in respect to Diogo Jota.' A fifth posted: 'This is heartbreaking, a player who I think a lot of us took for granted at points due to injuries but is someone who gave us some unbelievable moments! Number 20 should be retired, RIP Diogo and Andre.' Liverpool issued the following statement after Jota's death was confirmed: 'Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. 'The club have been informed that 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.' The Portuguese national team said in a statement: '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 teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.' Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in Portugal on June 22, just 11 days before his fatal accident. The couple had three children together.
Daily Mirror
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota's wife's loyalty to Liverpool after footballer died in car crash
Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 and Liverpool FC have paid tribute to the footballer, with his wife Rute Cardoso standing by him through everything Diogo Jota's wife supported his Liverpool dream in the months leading up to his death. Diogo played for the team in the UK before his sad death at the age of 28 following a tragic car accident. Rute Cardoso was a keen support for her husband throughout his entire footballing career, which continued when he made the move to Liverpool. The family would dress up in matching merch, including the dogs. Alongside, a post of her and Diogo and pictures of their young family - their children and their dogs in Liverpool FC merchandise - she wrote the lyrics: "Walk on, walk on. With hope in your heart. And you'll never walk alone. You'll never walk alone. Walk on, walk on. With hope in your heart. And you'll never walk alone. You'll never walk alone." In a heartbreaking statement, Liverpool FC paid tribute to Diogo and spoke of the club and family's "unimaginable loss". "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," they said. "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 provide them with our full support." Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves back in 2020 for a fee of around £45million. During his time at Liverpool, he helped them win the Premier League, FA Cup and the League Cup. Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, has also paid tribute to the player and his brother. "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, this early morning, in Spain," he said in a statement. "Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 international appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself. "On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, they played their football. On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, they played their football." He added: "The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked Uefa for a minute's silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women's European Championship... The loss of Diogo and Andre represent irreplaceable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything, daily, to honour their legacy."
South Wales Argus
31 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies after Lamborghini bursts into flames in Spain
Tributes from the football world and beyond flooded in for the 28-year-old father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago. Jota was found dead alongside his brother Andre Silva following the crash on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking. Liverpool said the club was 'devastated' by the news and that it was an 'unimaginable loss'. The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths, adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.' Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025 Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident. Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. Liverpool fans started leaving tributes outside Anfield on Thursday morning – with flowers being laid with messages including 'Thanks for everything, Diogo'. A picture of Diogo Jota at Anfield Stadium (Peter Byrne/PA) Jota was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He joined the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 – winning three major trophies. Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota's family 'all the strength in the world' following the Liverpool forward's death. A translated version of his message on Instagram said: '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.' In its own statement, the Portuguese national team said: '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 teammates and opponents. 'He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.' Jota and his wife got together in 2013, it has been reported, and have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November. He frequently shared pictures of him and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife has posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland. They also have three pet beagles. On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: 'A day we will never forget.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons the whole House 'is heartbroken by this news', adding: 'I wanted to send our sympathies to his family on behalf of the whole House.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Jota's death was 'devastating news' and 'there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this'. Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said he was 'heartbroken' by the news and that Jota's death was a 'huge loss to our city and the world of football'.
