The global football community is reeling from the heartbreaking news of the untimely death of Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his younger brother, André Silva, aged 26, in a catastrophic car accident in northern Spain. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, near Palacios de Sanabria in the Zamora province, close to the Portugal border, sending shockwaves through the sport and leaving fans, teammates, and clubs in mourning.
According to reports from Spanish authorities, including the Guardia Civil in Zamora, the accident took place around 12:30 AM local time on the A-52 motorway. Initial investigations suggest that the Lamborghini in which Jota and his brother were traveling suffered a tire blowout while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The car veered off the road, rolled, and subsequently caught fire, engulfing the vehicle in flames. Emergency services, including the Zamora Traffic Police and local fire department, responded swiftly but were unable to save the occupants. The Provincial Zamora Council confirmed the vehicle was completely consumed by the fire, leaving the two brothers trapped inside. Forensic tests are pending to formally identify the deceased, but authorities have confirmed one of the victims as Diogo Jota, with his brother André Silva as the other.
Diogo Jota, born December 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal, was a celebrated figure in football, known for his electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and versatility on the pitch. Joining Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2020 for £45 million, Jota quickly became a cornerstone of the team under former manager Jürgen Klopp and current manager Arne Slot. He made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists, contributing to their Premier League triumph in the 2024/25 season, as well as the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022. Internationally, Jota earned nearly 50 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals and winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. His brother, André Silva, was also a professional footballer, playing for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.
The tragedy is compounded by its timing, as Jota had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, just two weeks prior on June 22, 2025, in a joyous ceremony in Porto attended by their three young children. Jota’s final Instagram post, shared hours before the accident, featured a heartfelt video of their wedding day, captioned, “A day we will never forget.” The post has since become a poignant reminder of the life and love he cherished.[](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/diogo-jota-death-car-crash-liverpool-football-spain-b2781767.html)[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jota-dead-liverpool-last-instagram-35492047)
Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing their devastation: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, André. Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates, and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.” The club has reportedly closed its website temporarily in a mark of respect.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) also paid tribute, with president Pedro Proença stating, “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain. Far beyond being an exceptional player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.” The FPF requested a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euros match against Spain on Thursday evening to honor the brothers.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world. Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, wrote on X, “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. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher shared an emotional tribute, highlighting Jota’s impact both on and off the pitch. Fans and fellow players, including darts star Stephen Bunting, have expressed their grief on social media, with one user writing, “This Jota news is heartbreaking.”
The football community mourns the loss of two talented players whose legacies will endure. Jota’s infectious joy and André’s promising career with Penafiel leave behind a void that will be deeply felt. As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the family, including Jota’s wife and children, during this unimaginable tragedy. The football world unites in honoring their memory, with calls to preserve their legacy through daily tributes on and off the pitch.
