Diogo Jota dead at 28 as Liverpool star killed in car crash
The Portguese international has reportedly died after a car accident in Spain
Jota has reportedly been killed in a car accident in Spain
Liverpool star Diogo Jota has been killed in a car accident, according to reports in Portugal.
The Portuguese forward was reportedly travelling in a car in the Spanish province of Zamora when the vehicle left the road.
Jota - who won the Premier League title with Liverpool last season - was just 28 years old.
Tragically, it comes just two weeks after he married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso.
A post on X from the Zamora Provincial Council read: 'Two young people have died in an accident on the A-52 (Palacios de Sanabria).
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'The Rionegro del Puente Fire Station responded. The vehicle caught fire and the flames spread to the vegetation.
'They were 28 and 26 years old. RIP.'
This is a developing story - more to follow.
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Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Diogo Jota and Andre Silva funeral details released as brothers to be laid to rest
A service will be held near Porto on Saturday following the devastating car crash. The funerals of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, are to take place in Gondomar, around 30 minutes from Porto, northern Portugal, at 10am on Saturday, July 5, it has been announced. Local priest Jose Manuel Macedo had originally told they would be held at 4pm on Friday before confirming the date had been changed. It is understood the delay is due to minor issues with paperwork their relatives were attempting to resolve before their bodies could be repatriated. Father Macedo said a wake would take place at Sao Cosme Chapel before the funeral mass at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Catholic church next door. Jota began his football career at a club in Gondomar, and it is also believed he met his wife there. It is not known yet whether the brothers' family will request privacy or allow the funeral to be more of a public affair, the Mirror reports. Tributes to the pair flooded in throughout Thursday, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, current boss Arne Slot and club legend Kenny Dalglish, as well as Jota's Reds teammates issuing statements after the tragic car crash near Zamora, north-western Spain. Alexis Mac Allister shared 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." Dominik Szoboszlai wrote: "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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Liverpool defender and Scotland captain Andy Robertson penned a lengthy heartfelt tribute of his own. He said: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls - Diogo and Andre. "For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. "It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota. "We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. "How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family."I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate - and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘I called him MacJota' – Liverpool's Andy Robertson pays heartfelt tribute to ‘most British foreign player' Diogo Jota
Robertson said he wanted to remember his "never-creasing smile" from his wedding day ANDY ROBERTSON has added his heartfelt tribute to the chorus of well wishes and mourning following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. Jota was killed in the early hours of Thursday in a traffic incident while driving through Zamora, Spain, in a Lamborghini when a tyre suddenly burst and sent the car veering off the road before catching fire. Advertisement 3 Andy Robertson has paid tribute to his buddy Diogo Jota Credit: Getty 3 Jota was killed in a tragic car crash alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva Credit: Reuters The 28-year-old died alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel. Only 10 days earlier, Jota had gotten married to high school sweetheart Rute Cardoso, while the horrific news has also left three children without their father. Tributes for the late Portugal attacker have poured in from around the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Prince William, his club and manager Arne Slot. Team-mates past and present also sent their condolences to Jota's family and paid heartfelt tributes to Jota and Silva. Advertisement And now Scotland international and team-mate of five years, Robertson, has released his heartbroken homage to Jota. In a statement released on his Instagram page, the 31-year-old said: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre. "For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy." The defender described his buddy as a "good guy" who was "normal and real", adding that he was "full of fun". Advertisement Robertson continued by explaining what they would do when hanging out together, including watching darts, going to horse racing and giving him the nickname "MacJota". He continued: "He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota. Portugal manager in tears as fans hold up Diogo Jota pictures during Women's Euro minute's silence for Liverpool "We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had." Robertson's statement opens up on the last time he saw his mate, his wedding day, where he had a "never-creasing smile". Advertisement He concluded: "The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. "I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family. I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo." Andy Robertson Diogo Jota tribute in full The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre. For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota. We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family. I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo. 3
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Devastated Arne Slot says Liverpool will sing Diogo Jota's song and never forget star as managers & players pay tribute
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DEVASTATED Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota's song and vowed the unique player will never be forgotten. The club boss said he wished he had the words 'but know I do not' to pay tribute after the star's death in a car crash early yesterday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 Liverpool fans leave tributes for deceased star Diogo Jota Credit: PA 13 Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota's song and vowed the unique player will never be forgotten Credit: Getty 13 Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of his 'great friend' Credit: Alamy 13 It came as former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of his 'great friend' and posted a photo of the pair hugging on the pitch, He wrote on social media: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!' FA Patron Prince William also mourned the deaths of the 28-year-old player and his brother André, 26, saying: 'As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened. 'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.' READ MORE ON DIOGO JOTA STAR LOST Liverpool stars and manager Arne Slot pay tribute with funeral to start on Friday In a statement issued by the club, Slot revealed his last conversation with Diogo was to congratulate him on winning the Nations League, and wish him luck for his wedding. He said it had been a 'dream summer' for the player. He said Jota summed up the essence of a Liverpool player, with 'hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals'. And he vowed: '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.' And referencing the song fans sang from the stands for the star, he finished his statement: 'His name is Diogo.' Slot said when he first joined the club last year he realised fans 'had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities'. 'Profound loss and shock' - Martin Lipton on death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies aged 28 in tragic car crash He described him as 'a person who never sought popularity but found it anyway'. Jurgen Klopp signed Jota from Wolves in September 2020, and the pair became very close. Jurgen said: 'I'm heartbroken. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!' Tributes from around the world, across sport and politics, poured in for the Liverpool forward and his brother, who was also a footballer. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo Flowers, scarves and messages were laid outside Anfield stadium, where flags flew at half mast, with fans in floods of tears paying their respects. Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said his pal's tragic death 'doesn't make any sense'. What we know so far: He shared a black and white photo of Jota and said: 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you got married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. 'I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.' England and ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold said: '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.' The Portuguese national team said they are devastated, adding Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the team, but also an extraordinary person. Diogo's former club, FC Porto, said it is in mourning. André was also a youth player there. The Premier League described Jota — who won the competition earlier this year — as a 'champion who will be forever missed'. Uefa said its thoughts were with those affected 'by this heartbreaking loss'. 13 The Liverpool flag flies at half-mast outside Anfield Credit: PA 13 Fans of rival club Everton have also laid tributes at Anfield Credit: PA 13 Wreckage from the tragic crash It said a silence will be observed at Women's Euro 2025 matches yesterday and today. Ex-Liverpool star and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said he was 'absolutely devastated' and Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 15 will be an 'outpouring of emotion'. An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We'll always remember you. A hug to heaven. R.I.P Ex-Wolves forward Raul Jimenez He said: 'In a state of shock. It's so sad and devastating for his wife and three wonderful children.' Jota's Portugal and former Wolves team-mate Ruben Neves, said: 'They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.' Ex-Wolves forward Raul Jimenez paid tribute, adding: 'An excellent colleague, friend, and above all, a great father. Thanks for everything, my friend. We'll always remember you. A hug to heaven. R.I.P.' Wolves said he will be 'missed and always remembered'. England's Jude Bellingham sent 'love and strength' to the star's family. Comedian and Liverpool fan John Bishop described the news as heartbreaking. US basketball star LeBron James, a part-owner of Liverpool, wrote on X: 'My prayers go out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA [You'll Never Walk Alone] JOTA!!' Manchester City ace Jack Grealish posted a picture of the forward, adding: 'Honestly lost for words. So heartbreaking.' Yesterday, Liverpool fans stood in stunned silence outside Anfield. Many hugged each other in disbelief as they tried to come to terms with the tragedy. Deputy PM Angela Rayner, arrived to lay flowers, saying: 'I'm absolutely devastated for his wife, his children and his family. Just seeing the outpouring across the whole of the city is incredible.' Manchester United fan Joe Parsons laid his club scarf at the memorial when he visited with wife Kelly, a Liverpool fan. Joe, 40, said: 'After I put the scarf down, it was amazing how many Liverpool fans shook my hand. 'This isn't about club rivalry. I had to show my respects. It's a loss to the whole city. I live in the city. 'I've seen tributes from Everton and Rangers too. It's the football community coming together.' 13 Prince William paid tribute to Diogo and his brother 13 Wolves released a statement following the star's death Credit: instagram 13 Jude Bellingham's tribute to Diogo Jota 13 Trent Alexander Arnold's tribute to Diogo on social media 13 Liverpool fan John Bishop's tribute to Jota 13 Former Reds defender Carragher's Jota tribute
