The football world is in deep mourning following the heartbreaking death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away at the age of 28 after a devastating car accident in northern Spain. The crash also claimed the life of his younger brother, Andre Silva, who was just 26.
The accident occurred when the brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini on the A-52 highway, a major route connecting northern Portugal to Spain. Reports suggest that a tyre on their supercar may have burst while they were overtaking, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, crash, and burst into flames. Emergency services who rushed to the scene confirmed that both Jota and Andre died instantly.
In a heartbreaking twist, the tragedy comes just two weeks after Jota married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in a joyful ceremony in Porto. The couple, who share three young children, had described themselves as “the happiest family in the world” in a recent interview. Jota had even called himself “the luckiest man alive” just a day before his untimely death.
The fatal crash was confirmed by emergency services in the Castilla y León region of Spain, who released a detailed report of the incident. According to the statement, several calls were made to the 1-1-2 emergency line reporting that a vehicle had crashed and caught fire at kilometer 65 of the A-52 highway near the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.
The Zamora Traffic Police, local fire brigade, and medical teams were dispatched to the scene, but sadly, there was nothing they could do. Medical personnel from the Mombuey Health Center confirmed the deaths of both occupants at the scene.
The news has sent shockwaves through the football community. Pedro Proença, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, issued an emotional statement saying,“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
Diogo was not only a brilliant player with nearly 50 appearances for the national team, but also an extraordinary person, beloved by teammates, opponents, and the wider football family.”Liverpool FC has yet to release an official statement, but tributes are already pouring in from fans, players, and clubs around the world. UEFA has granted the Portuguese Football Federation’s request to hold a minute’s silence in Jota’s honor ahead of Portugal’s upcoming women’s European Championship match against Spain. The loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva is an unimaginable blow not just to their family but to the entire football fraternity. Their talent, dedication, and the joy they brought to the sport will never be forgotten.
