Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain, along with his younger brother, fellow professional footballer André Silva. Jota was 28. Silva was 26.
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Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
The fatal accident occurred shortly after midnight Thursday in the province of Zamora, according to Spanish authorities. Local reports indicate the vehicle veered off the road and caught fire. The Spanish Civil Guard told The Associated Press that both men were pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.
The crash comes just days after Jota married longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple, who shared three children, had recently celebrated their wedding on social media, with Jota posting a video captioned, "A day we will never forget." Hours before the accident, the forward reshared the video on Instagram.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the deaths in a statement Thursday, calling it a "tragic accident" and an "irreparable loss for Portuguese football."
"Much more than a fantastic player, with almost 50 caps 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," said Federation President Dr. Pedro Proença.
Jota's club, Liverpool FC, posted a black-and-white image of the forward on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota." The club added in a statement that it would make no further comment and asked that the privacy of the Jota and Silva families be respected.
"We will continue to provide them with our full support," the statement read.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 in a $54 million transfer. Known for his sharp instincts, relentless pressing and ability to play across the front line, Jota became a key figure in Jürgen Klopp's side and helped Liverpool to a Premier League title just last season.
He made 49 appearances for Portugal's senior national team and scored 14 goals. He last played for the national team in June and was part of the squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota's longtime international teammate, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram. "Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married," Ronaldo wrote. "To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and André. We will all miss you."
UEFA has granted a request from the Portuguese Football Federation to observe a moment of silence ahead of Thursday's Women's European Championship qualifier.
Silva, who played for FC Penafiel in Portugal's second division, had followed a similar path to his brother through youth football and the lower leagues. The federation extended its condolences to both clubs and families.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
