Twenty-eight-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota died in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother in the early hours of Thursday morning, police have confirmed. Here’s what we know so far about the tragic accident.
Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André, 26, died in the crash in northwest Spain on Thursday.
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known as Diogo Jota, was a Liverpool FC player since 2020 and a Portuguese international.
His brother André Felipe Silva was also a footballer, playing for Futebol Clube Penafiel, a team in the Portuguese second division.
Jota got married on June 22nd – 11 days before his death – to his fiancée Rute Cardoso. He had three young children.
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How did the news of his death break?
All of Spain’s main sports dailies, including Marca and As, initially reported the news.
Then Spain’s leading newspaper El País has also confirmed the tragic accident.
The provincial government of Zamora, where the accident took place, also tweeted out a message saying that “two young men have died in a car accident”. They have not named Diogo Jota and his brother Andre but they have confirmed their ages, 28 and 26.
Spanish police then also confirmed the death of the footballer.
Where and when did the accident happen?
The traffic accident reportedly took place on the A52 motorway near the town of Cernadilla, in the province Zamora, in northwest Spain.
The accident took place around 35 kilometres from the border with Portugal.
According to sources involved in the investigation, the two Portuguese brothers died aboard a Lamborghini that, for reasons under investigation, left the Rías Bajas motorway (A52) at kilometer 65, heading towards the town of Benavente, at around 12.40 am on Thursday July 3rd 2025.
What caused the accident?
Sources consulted by Spanish news agency EFE indicate that the car may have suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, causing it to veer off the road and catch fire.
“Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking,” the Civil Guard said in a statement.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which spread to surrounding vegetation, and collaborated with emergency medical services and Spain’s Civil Guard police.
Medical services on the scene could only confirm the deaths of the two occupants of the vehicle.
According to the provincial government of Zamora, the bodies of the two occupants of the car are charred, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine is working to confirm their identities.
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What has the reaction been?
Tributes to Jota began to pour in from the world of football, with many left devastated and shocked by his sudden death.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro described Jota as “an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name”, expressing his condolences on “a sad day for football and for national and international sports”.
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his international team-mate Diogo Jota by posting a message which read, “It makes no sense. We were just together with the national team (they won the Nations League title last month), you had just 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.”
Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese FA, wrote on social media: “The Portuguese football federation and the entire Portuguese football community are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, this morning in Spain.
“Much more than a fantastic player, who played almost 50 matches for the national A team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players played respectively.”
Proença said they had asked UEFA for a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 match against Spain in Switzerland on Thursday.
“We have lost two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva are irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything possible to honour their legacy every day,” Proença added.
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Jota spent the last five years at Anfield and helped the English giants win the Premier League last season.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the club said in a statement.
“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.”
Fans were quick to arrive at Anfield following the news and laid down tributes of their own, including scarves, wreaths and flowers.
The English Football League has also sent out a message of support, stating “Devastating and heart-breaking. Everyone at the EFL is truly saddened by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Our thoughts are with their family and friends, as well as everyone at LFC”.
Manchester United tweeted “Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today’s heart-breaking news.”
“FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences” to the family and friends of Jota and his brother, the Portuguese giants said in a statement.
Atlético de Madrid also released a message expressing the La Liga club’s shock at the deaths and offered their condolences.
“They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”, Jota’s international teammate Ruben Neves posted in an Instagram story.
With additional reporting by AFP.
