Portuguese football has been plunged into mourning following the tragic deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in northwestern Spain early Thursday morning.
Spanish police confirmed that the fatal accident occurred shortly after midnight on a motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora province. According to the Civil Guard, the vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames—believed to have been caused by a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre.
Jota, 28, had recently celebrated his wedding to longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, sharing joyful moments from the ceremony on social media just hours before the tragedy. The couple had three children.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world. Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença expressed his devastation on social media, calling Jota "an extraordinary person" known for his infectious energy and respected by peers and rivals alike.
“We have lost two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre is an irreparable loss for Portuguese football,” said Proença. He added that UEFA had been asked to observe a minute of silence ahead of Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier against Spain in Switzerland on Thursday.
Jota, a former player for Porto, Atletico Madrid, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, had a standout season with Liverpool, scoring nine goals in all competitions and helping the club secure their 20th Premier League title.
As investigations into the accident continue, tributes continue to flood in for a player remembered not only for his skill on the pitch but also for his humility and warmth off it.