July 3 – Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, has died in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva, 26, who was also a professional footballer with Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel.
The Spanish police, the Guardia Civil, confirmed that their car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle and then caught fire in the Spanish province of Zamora at around 00:30am local time last night.
The player married long-term partner Rute Cardoso just last month, with whom he had three young children.
Jota, who made his international debut in 2019, played his final match for Portugal as they beat Spain in the final of the Nations League on 8th of June. He scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for his nation.
“The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated,” read a FPF statement.
“Much more than an amazing player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily.”
UEFA has confirmed there will be a minute’s silence before Portugal’s women’s Euros game against Spain today.
Liverpool say they are “devastated” by the “unimaginable loss” of their forward, who played a key role in winning the Premier League title last season.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss,” the club added.
Rival clubs Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton all paid heartfelt tributes to the player and his family.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s Captain for the Portugal national team, posted a statement on social media:
“It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married.”
Ronaldo sent his condolences to Jota’s family, wife and children, adding: “I know you will always be with them.”
“Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will miss you.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1751559880labto1751559880ofdlr1751559880owedi1751559880sni@g1751559880niwe.1751559880yrrah1751559880