Liverpool player Diogo Jota, brother killed in a car accident in Spain: police
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The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora.
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Firefighters were called in as the fire spread into the nearby vegetation, authorities said.
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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.
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It wasn't clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tire.
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The accident occurred while they were driving eastward along an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora.
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The 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, both Portuguese players, were the only ones in the car, police said.
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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.
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Jota also played for Portugal's national team and helped it win the Nations League last month.
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Liverpool said the club was 'devastated by the tragic passing.'
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'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.'
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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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The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proenca said Portuguese soccer was 'completely devastated.'
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'More than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community,' Proenca said in the statement.
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The Portuguese federation said it has requested a minute of silence before Thursday's match between Portugal and Spain at the Women's European Championship being played in Switzerland.
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'We lost two champions,' Proenca said. 'Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer and we will all do our best to honor their legacy daily.'
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Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro commented on the 'unexpected and tragic' deaths. He said Jota was 'an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name.'
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