- Diogo Jota, 28, and brother Andre killed in a tragic highway crash in Spain
- Their Lamborghini veered off the A-52 near Zamora at 12:30am Thursday.
- The car burst into flames; both were pronounced dead at the scene.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal FA, and Liverpool FC mourn his passing.
In a devastating turn of events, Portuguese football star Diogo Jota, 28, has died following a high-speed car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning near Zamora, in northwestern Spain. Also killed in the crash was his brother, Andre Felipe.
According to authorities, the fatal accident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on the Rias Bajas Highway (A-52), near Palacios de Sanabria, as the pair were traveling towards Benavente in a Lamborghini.
A statement from the Guardia Civil in Zamora confirmed:
“A vehicle left the road and everything indicates a tyre burst while overtaking. As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed.
Pending the completion of forensic tests, one of the deceased has been identified as Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, and his brother, Andre Felipe.”
The tragedy comes just ten days after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, making the loss even more heart-wrenching.
Liverpool FC Issues Statement of Grief
In a statement released shortly after the confirmation of his death, Liverpool FC expressed profound sorrow:
“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.”
Portugal Football Federation Pays Tribute
The Portuguese Football Federation described the news as an “irreparable loss” to Portuguese football:
“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
Cristiano Ronaldo Shares Emotional Goodbye
National team captain Cristiano Ronaldo took to social media to share his grief and disbelief:
“It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had 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.”
Jota is survived by his wife and three children.
Less than two weeks ago Diogo Jota and his long-term partner Rute Cardoso tied the knot.The pair, who have three children together, could be seen joyous and gleeful on their special wedding day, on 22 June.
Jota’s career was one marked by ambition and relentless determination. After beginning his professional journey with Paços de Ferreira, he joined Atlético Madrid in 2016.
Loan spells with FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers followed, with his tenure at Wolves proving pivotal as he helped the team earn promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
His outstanding performances at Wolves earned him a £41 million move to Liverpool FC, where he became a key figure under manager Jürgen Klopp.
Over five successful seasons at Anfield, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, helping Liverpool clinch the Premier League title, one FA Cup (2022), and two EFL Cups (2022 & 2024).
On the international stage, he represented Portugal with distinction, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances, and played a crucial role in the team’s UEFA Nations League triumph.
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