Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Dies In Tragic Car Crash Just Days After Wedding
The football world is mourning the sudden death of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward and Portuguese national team star, who tragically passed away in a car crash in Spain. He was just 28.
Diogo wasn’t alone, as his younger brother, André Silva, a 26-year-old fellow footballer, also died in the accident. The crash happened early Thursday morning, July 3, around 12:30 a.m. local time in the province of Zamora, Spain. According to local authorities, their car veered off the road and burst into flames. No other vehicles were involved.
Both brothers were found dead at the scene. Police are still investigating the cause of the accident.
The heartbreak comes just days after Diogo had celebrated one of the happiest moments of his life: his wedding. He tied the knot with longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. He had even posted a joyful video from their big day on Instagram just hours before the crash, writing, “A day we will never forget 🤍.”
The couple shares three children.
Liverpool FC confirmed the devastating news with a black-and-white photo of Diogo posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), and said they were “devastated by the tragic passing.” In an official statement, the club said: “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 Portuguese Football Federation echoed the heartbreak. “Much more than a fantastic player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents,” said Federation president Dr. Pedro Proença, “someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.”
A moment of silence was held before the Portuguese women’s national game that same evening in their honor.
Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly shaken, also paid tribute to Diogo in a moving Instagram post. “Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married,” wrote Ronaldo. “To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world… R.I.P. Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Diogo had an impressive career. He joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a $54 million deal. He quickly became a fan favorite, known for his sharp instincts and electrifying goals. He scored 14 times for the Portuguese national team in nearly 50 appearances and was part of the Liverpool squad that recently lifted the Premier League trophy in May.
