Diogo Jota was driving with brother to ferry after doc advised 'not to fly'
Tragic Diogo Jota was killed while making his way back to Liverpool.
The footballer passed away on Thursday morning following a horror car smash in northwest Spain that also took the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva.
As Liverpool's pre-season gets underway next week, Jota was on route to the port city of Santander to catch a ferry back to the UK when the Lamborghini he was travelling in veered off the road and burst into flames near the town of Zamora following a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle, reports the Mirror.
The fire damage from the crash was so severe that it prevented tests from being carried out to confirm that the two deceased were Jota and his brother. His wife had to identify the pair as police at the scene were unable to ID either men.
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The Portugal international had been advised not to fly by doctors after undergoing lung surgery and was planning to sail back to England alongside his brother. The pair were heading to Santander, via an overnight stop off in Benavente, where they were due to get a ferry to Portsmouth.
"The surgery he had had was lung surgery and he had been advised against flying following this," CNN Portugal's Rui Laura explained. "He was on his way to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to cross the ferry and reach the UK that way and carry on with the car once he reached Britain. He was on his way to Liverpool with his brother."
The striker had spent time Portugal earlier this month after featuring in his nation's dramatic penalty shootout win over Spain in the Nations League final on June 8. While home, he tied the knot with long-term partner and mum of his three kids, Rute Cardoso, in a romantic ceremony in Porto.
The Anfield side were gearing up for pre-season training at Melwood on Tuesday, with a friendly against Preston North End set for Sunday, July 13. Matches with AC Milan, Yokohama FM and Athletic Club were lined up ahead of the Community Shield showdown with Crystal Palace at Wembley on August 10.
Liverpool released the following statement after news of Jota's tragic death broke: "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.
" 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 have been pouring in from across the footballing community. Former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard wrote on Instagram: "RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time."
Jamie Carragher said: "Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute and their three kids."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who played with Jota at international level, wrote: "It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten 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 Andre. We will all miss you."
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 in a £45million move from Wolves. In five years at Anfield he scored 65 times in 182 appearances, helping the club clinch the Premier League last season, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022.
He also played for Atletico Madrid, Porto and Pacos de Ferreira, and earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals. Jota's brother Andre Silva was also a footballer and played for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.
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