Diogo Jota and his brother were killed just days after the Portuguese forward’s wedding
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain, regional officials have confirmed. The 28-year-old Portuguese footballer was traveling with his brother, Andre Silva, 26, who was also killed in the crash.
The incident occurred early on July 3 near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora province. According to a statement from the local emergency coordination center, the vehicle Jota and his brother were traveling in caught fire after veering off the A-52 motorway.
Jota had married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago. The couple had three children together. The footballer’s final Instagram post, shared days before the crash, featured images from the wedding with the caption, “Yes to forever.”
In a statement, Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proenca said: “Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 appearances for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents.”
He added that both men’s deaths represented “irreparable losses for Portuguese football.”
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo similarly paid tribute on social media, writing: “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.”
The FPF has requested a minute’s silence ahead of Portugal’s women’s match against Spain in the European Championship on Thursday.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also offered his condolences, writing: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family.”
Jota began his senior career with Pacos de Ferreira in 2014 and joined Atletico Madrid in 2016. After a loan move to FC Porto, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, where he helped the team earn promotion to the Premier League. He joined Liverpool in 2020, making 182 appearances and scoring 65 goals across all competitions. He helped the club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups.
Internationally, he also played 49 matches for the Portugal national team, scoring 14 goals, and was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
His brother Andre played for Portuguese second-tier club FC Penafiel.
