Diogo Jota updates as Liverpool star dies aged 28 after tragic car crash

Irish Daily Mirror

15 hours ago

Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car crash aged just 28. The Premier League footballer lost his life in a crash in Zamora near Spain's north-west border with Portugal.
Police have confirmed how the accident happened, with Jota's brother, Andre Felipe, also passing away in the crash which happened at around 00:30 local time on Thursday according to local police.
The tragic incident occurred just days after Jota's marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso - who had to identify her husband and his brother after the devastating crash.
Tributes have since been pouring in with the footballing world struck by grief at the heart-breaking news. Liverpool have led the tributes to the forward, while a number of his former clubs and teammates have shared their own.
Jota started his career with Pacos de Ferreira before moves to Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He spent three years with Wolves ahead of a move to Liverpool in 2020. Jota had made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals.
Mirror Football will be on hand to bring you all of the latest updates and tributes on this developing story...
Trent Alexander-Arnold led Real Madrid in a tribute for 'true friend' Diogo Jota after his tragic death.
There has since been an outpouring of grief and emotion from across the footballing landscape, none least from Jota's former sides. But even the clubs that he did not play for have paid emotional tributes after learning the news.
Spanish giants Real Madrid held a minute's silence for Jota ahead of their latest training session led by his former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold. He also posted an emotional tribute on social media.
Diogo Jota's grieving wife has arrived at the chapel where the Liverpool star's coffin has been taken for a private wake ahead of tomorrow's funeral.
Rute Cardoso, who only married the 28-year-old footballer on June 22, headed to Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar where the couple met and started dating as teenagers early this morning after returning with her partner's body from Spain late last night.
Father-of-three Diogo was killed in the early hours of yesterday morning along with his footballer brother Andre Silva when their acid green 200mph £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan burst into flames after a suspected tyre blowout on the A-52 highway near Zamora in north-west Spain.
They were heading to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to catch a ferry to the UK after the Liverpool player and Portuguese international was advised not to travel by plane following lung surgery.
The siblings' mum Isabel and their grandfather were also spotted at the chapel this morning. Family members were filmed embracing each other as they broke down in tears before walking together towards the chapel.
The wake proper is set to start around 4pm, with Portugal's president Marcelo de Sousa confirming he will be among those arriving at that time to pay their last respects ahead of a funeral mass in the neighbouring church - the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar - at 10am tomorrow. It is not yet clear how public the wake will be.
The chapel and neighbouring church are around a half-hour drive from the church in Porto where Diogo and his wife got married less than two weeks ago. Local priest Jose Manuel Macedo initially revealed the funeral would take place at 4pm today before confirming yesterday evening it had been put back to tomorrow morning.
It is understood the delay was linked to minor paperwork issues the men's loved ones, who were still in Spain until late yesterday, were trying to resolve before being able to repatriate the bodies. Gondomar Town Hall issued an emotional statement late yesterday as it confirmed it had decreed a day of official mourning.
It said: 'Gondomar Town Hall expresses its deepest sympathy at the death of international footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, illustrious Gondomar residents who left prematurely, leaving behind a remarkable sporting career and an example of dedication and professionalism.
'Throughout his career, Diogo Jota stood out for his footballing talent and for the committed way in which he always represented the region and the country, winning national and international recognition.
'At this time of sorrow and consternation, Gondomar Town Hall extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of these two Gondomar residents. By way of tribute, the Mayor of Gondomar Luis Filipe Araujo, has decreed by official order a day of municipal mourning to be observed this Friday, 4 July.
'During this period, the municipal flag will be flown at half-mast in all municipal buildings and facilities.' The mayor described Diogo Jota today as 'an extraordinary talent and a true ambassador for Gondomar' where he grew up and went to school.
He said: 'He stood out for taking the name of the municipality and Portugal to the biggest stages of European and world football with humility, dedication and an enormous sense of responsibility.'
The town hall statement added: 'Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva, known in the world of football as Diogo Jota, and his brother, Andre Filipe Teixeira da Silva, were born in Gondomar and trained in the youth teams of Gondomar Sport Clube, standing out from an early age for their passion and commitment to sport. Their career has taken the name of the municipality to great heights.
'Diogo Jota has established himself as one of the main references in Portuguese football, having represented top clubs and the national team with enormous professionalism and talent, projecting Gondomar and Portugal onto the international stage.
'Andre Silva, too, shared the same sporting spirit and always honoured his homeland with his commitment and dignified attitude, setting an example of dedication that made all Gondomar residents proud.
'Gondomar Town Hall therefore joins in the mourning of the family and all those who feel this irreparable loss deeply, remembering Diogo Jota and Andre Silva as two citizens who, through their lives and careers, honoured the municipality and left a mark that will remain in the collective memory.'
In a separate tribute Rui Paula, the chef at Diogo Silva's wedding, said: 'Heartbreaking news... less than two weeks ago we were celebrating one of the happiest days of your life. Today, we are confronted with this unimaginable tragedy. It's impossible to put into words the shock and sadness we feel.
'You were more than an icon in our midst, who gave so much of yourself for all of us. Above all, you were a person of contagious friendliness, always in a good mood, full of life and with a huge heart. Our thoughts are with the family and all those who loved Diogo and Andre. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten.'
Liverpool ace Diogo Jota spoke on the phone with the president of Gondomar SC, his boyhood club, just hours before his tragic death. The outfit's president revealed that Jota was 'going through a happy moment' on the call.
Cerqueira told JN: "It was just after 10pm last night [Thursday], we were on the phone and he was fine.
"We spoke almost every week, and I know he was going through a happy moment. When Diogo needed to train during the off-season, he would ask to come here, and we would always make everything available.
"His brother would usually come too, and they would both train. It is difficult to talk at a time like this, but what will remain is the image of two very humble people, who leave a huge void."
David Beckham has penned a touching tribute over the top of a black-and-white image of the star in a Portugal game."Devastating to hear this such sad news.. Sending love to Diogo & Andre's families," he wrote.
His son Romeo also shared his grief. After sharing a black-and-white snap of the star with broken heart emojis, Romeo penned: "Life is too short, love who you love and tell them how much you really do!
"Life can flash before your eyes at any moments! But the people that truly love you and care for you will always be there.... Don't hold back from LOVE OR APPRECIATION for ANYTHING OR ANYONE."
Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah is set to return to the UK on Friday, cutting his holiday short following the heartbreaking loss of team-mate Diogo Jota. Reports from Egypt state that Salah will return to Liverpool ahead of schedule, with a host of players scheduled to report for pre-season training on Tuesday, July 8.
A number of Reds stars are anticipated to return to Merseyside over the weekend as the football world continues to mourn the loss of Jota. He and his younger brother, Andre Silva, were tragically killed in a car crash on Thursday morning in Zamora, Spain.
It's believed that Jota was en route to Santander to catch a ferry back to England, following medical advice not to fly after lung surgery. Salah, who has been sharing regular holiday snaps on his Instagram account, has reportedly been spending time in Bodrum, Turkey, according to Turkiye Today.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will leave it up to Pedro Neto to decide whether he is in the right state of mind to play following the death of Diogo Jota. Blues winger Neto missed the final training session in the build-up to the Club World Cup quarter final with Palmeiras after learning of the death of Portugal teammate Jota and his brother Andre.
But Maresca has offered his full support while Marc Cucurella also said it could be 'destiny' for Neto to score and dedicate the goal to his late friend. Maresca said: 'Pedro is very sad. Probably more than sad, but we are close to Pedro, to support him in this morning.
'It's completely Pedro's decision, I had a chat this morning we support him, any decision he takes is the right one, we will support him in any case. If on pitch tomorrow or not, we will support him.
'It's very sad day I struggle find words, it's very difficult, the feeling that you have is helpless in this situation. Only thing I can say is all my love for his family, a big tragedy.'
If you don't follow football but you're wondering why the torrent of tributes to Diogo Jota has been so relentless, here are some of the reasons.
Yes, the Liverpool footballer was an outstanding, versatile player, arguably the best finisher in the English champions' squad on his day.
Yes, he lifted everything there was to win during his five years at Anfield.
And yes, he scored crucial goals last season to help them to win the title, including the winner - his last ever goal - in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April.
But he was also low maintenance, high in the good energy that attracts kindred spirits and universal respect.
He wasn't ever pictured falling out of nightclubs, engaging in unseemly Twitter/X controversies or involved in the pantomime, Baller League-type flare ups we see on Instagram.
Jota, the man, was summed up by the pictures that have so dominated the news agenda over the past 24 hours. A family man, a devoted man, taken too soon when the car he was in with his younger brother, Andre Silva, came off the road in north-west Spain on Thursday night.
Mourners prepare to pay their respects to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who will be honoured at a wake in Portugal this morning, according to a local parish priest.
Jose Manuel Macedo, the parish priest at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, conveyed to PA news agency that the wake for the brothers is scheduled for 8am at the Capela da Ressurreicao, with their funeral to follow on Saturday at 10am at the Igreja Matriz.
Diogo Jota had been bravely playing through a little-known issue called a pneumothorax - or collapsed lung - in the weeks before his death, his physio has confirmed.
Miguel Goncalves said the forward was so desperate to ensure Liverpool won their second Premier League title he delayed his surgery for pneumothorax. He was also keen to feature in Portugal's Nation's League game against Spain in June, which his country won on penalties.
Jota, 28, battled through the issue and saw Mr Goncalves just five hours before the fatal crash in Zamora, Spain. Both Jota and his younger brother Andre died after the Portugal international's Lamborghini Huracan was involved in the smash.
Mr Goncalves said the brothers planned to drive to Santander to catch a ferry to England, and chose to make the journey in the evening because the weather was cooler. Mr Goncalves added: "I said goodbye to him and his brother, Andre, at around 8:30pm. His brother was a great companion and decided to go with him, to accompany him on the trip, and that way they would also spend more time together. They were going to travel at night because it was cooler, but they weren't going direct."
It's so difficult to find the right words when your head and heart are struggling to accept that someone you care so much about has gone.Diogo, your family was your world. They were everything. For Rute, his children, and his parents, all of our hearts are broken. And for Andre… pic.twitter.com/tSznQJMIk9
Thank you for joining us on a devastating today for football.
Mirror Football will be bringing you further reaction to the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, tomorrow and over the weekend.
Rest in peace.
Portugal's players unfurled a banner paying tribute to Diogo Jota following tonight's 5-0 loss to Spain at the Women's European Championship.
A post shared by Virgil (@virgilvandijk)
"What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not. All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss"
Portugal are about to kick-off their Women's European Championship camapign in Switzerland against Spain and their fans have been paying tribute to Diogo Jota.
A post shared by Andrew Robertson (@andyrobertson94)
By Natalia Penza
The funerals of Diego Jota and his brother Andre Silva will be held in Gondomar a half-hour drive inland from the northern Portuguese city of Porto at 10am on Saturday.
Local priest Jose Manuel Macedo initially revealed they would take place at 4pm tomorrow before confirming they had been put back to Saturday morning.
It is understood the delay is linked to minor paperwork issues the men's relatives, who were still in Spain last night, were trying to resolve before being able to repatriate the bodies.
Father Macedo said a wake would take place at Sao Cosme Chapel before the funeral mass on Saturday morning at the Catholic church next door - the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.
Diogo Jota began his footballing career at a club in Gondomar and is also thought to have met his wife there.
It is not yet clear whether the men's family will request privacy or make it a more public affair.
"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
"My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of LiverpoolFootball Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.
"This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.
"For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.
"I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.
"There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.
"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.
"When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.
"That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.
"My condolences go to Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva.
"When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.
"His name is Diogo."
Liverpool's CEO of football, Michael Edwards, and Richard Hughes, the club's sporting director, have written a joint message.
"There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy. We all feel utterly bereft right now," they said. "In such heartbreaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.
"Diogo's wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss. This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, Andre Silva. We mourn them both equally. We must respect the family's privacy and give them the space to grieve in whichever way they need.
"Of course, we - his Liverpool family - are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. As his teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow. We know our supporters, his national team, former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share in this grief. This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club.
"In the coming days, we as a club will look to honour our beloved number 20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves. We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters, to whom Diogo meant so much.
"For now, we express a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain. We have lost someone truly irreplaceable. Rest in peace, Diogo."
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea held a minute of silence ahead of training in memory of Diogo Jota and André Silva.: @realmadrid/@ChelseaFC/@FCBayern pic.twitter.com/yguVcdj0mR
England star Lucy Bronze says the Lionesses were left in shock when they learned about the death of Diogo Jota.
The Liverpool star and his brother Andre Silva were tragically killed in a car accident in Spain, with the Portugal international passing away on Thursday morning.
A moment's silence will be held before tonight's and tomorrow's Women's Euro 2025 matches, including Portugal's group stage opener against Spain.
England will begin their own campaign on Saturday against France, and Bronze reflected on how she and her team-mates reacted to the news.
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Manchester United's players have put their rivalry with Liverpool aside to pay tribute to Diogo Jota, who two Red Devils stars - Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot - played alongside for Portugal.
Fernandes: "Friend, colleague, and companion in a thousand battles. It's hard to understand how it's possible for someone to leave so soon. May you and your brother find the peace you need to look after those who lost you so suddenly and so soon. My condolences to all your family."
Dalot: "Devastating... speechless... much strength to the family."
Harry Maguire: "So sad. RIP. Heartbreaking."
Mason Mount: "Absolutely devastating news. Rest in peace Diogo and Andre. Deepest condolences and thoughts are with the family."
Amad: "My sincere condolences to Jota's Family and his Wife. We are all devastated by this news. May their souls rest in peace."
Joshua Zirkzee: "Unbelievable news... rest in perfect paradise, prayers to your loved ones."
Liverpool stars Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have both posted emotional tributes to Diogo Jota.
Mac Allister wrote on Instagram: "I can't believe it. I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you a person. It hurts a lot, we will miss you. Rest in peace dear Diogo."
A post shared by Alexis Mac Allister (@alemacallister)
Szoboszlai added: "Words cannot describe how heartbroken and devastated we are... Your smile, your love for the game will never be forgotten. We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, brother."
A post shared by Szoboszlai Dominik (@szoboszlaidominik)
Ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has shed light on what kind of haracter Diogo Jota was, having lived near the forward.
"You saw the smile on his face when he played," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He was always that bubbly character, but he was also a fiery person as well, on the pitch. He had that lovely balance.
"He was always happy to give up his time [when giving interviews for radio and TV], more than gracious when he spoke to people, very respectful but also a very charismatic character - around the training ground and also around the stadium as well.
"I don't think you become a fans' favourite without being that type of person - he was so likeable. You would always see him engaging with people and fans. From that side of things he was just a lovely person."
Liverpool fans stood in silence outside Anfield as the numbers arriving to pay their respects to striker Diogo Jota grew through the days
Thousands of floral, scarves and balloons were placed on a grassed area close to the ground's Main Stand as thousands of fans gathered in grief.
Supporter John Lynch, 64, said: 'I got the news this morning by text.
I am devastated. To lose a life so young. At Liverpool, we're all one big family and when something like this happens, it's like losing a member of your family and it's devastating.
'We were all looking forward to the new season with all the new players coming in and mixing with the players we already have here. I have just been to the players' entrance, where the coach goes in, thinking he will go through there again.
'His poor wife and children. He's only been married a few weeks. It's good that's so many people are coming here to pay tribute.
'Over the next couple of days we'll get tributes, scarves and flowers from our neighbours, Everton. We have a laugh and banter with them but at times like this, we all put together. Man United Manchester City, they're down here paying their respects.
'At times like this, football goes out of the window. It is devastating but much worse for his wife, children and family.'
Nisha Abraham, 21, who is studying law at Manchester University, said: 'I had to come. Diogo is almost like a family member to us. I am here to pay my respects.
'I was in bed when my mum phoned me from Malaysia to tell me he had died. I sprung out of bed because I was in shock. I checked social media and there was just post after post about his passing. It is terrible. Liverpool has a big fan base in Malaysia.'
The Lionesses have also penned a statement while on Euro 2025 duty. It read: 'We are devastated at the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. It is truly difficult to comprehend.
'The Lionesses send our heartfelt condolences to Diogo's family and friends, and all the players, staff and fans connected to Liverpool FC, his former clubs and the Portugal national teams.
'We stand beside the Portuguese team here in Switzerland and the whole football family in honouring Diogo and Andre's memory.'
Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish has shared a touching message on social media.
He wrote: "Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there's so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children. Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre. YNWA"
Fans are continuing to arrive at Anfield to pay tribute to Jota, each leaving their own bits of memorabilia or flowers.
The Prince of Wales has offered his own take on today's news.
A statement from Kensington Palace read: "As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him @LFC@Wolves W."