Football world mourns Diogo Jota after tragic car crash
Jota had chosen to travel to Santander, where he was due to take a ferry to England, by car on medical advice following a minor surgery at the end of the season.
Portugal international and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 following a car accident in Spain that also claimed the life of his younger brother, André Silva, 25.
Their funerals will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Parish Church of Gondomar.
The wake will be held tomorrow afternoon (time yet to be confirmed, but likely at 4 p.m.) at the Chapel of the Resurrection.
The bodies of Diogo Jota and André Silva have already been released by the Institute of Legal Medicine in Zamora and are expected to arrive in Portugal on Thursday night.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, in Zamora province, Castile and León region, Spain.
According to reports, the two brothers were traveling in a Lamborghini on their way to the port city of Santander, where Jota was due to take a ferry to England ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season training, which begins on July 8.
Reports also indicate that the car veered off the road after a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre, then burst into flames, spreading to nearby vegetation.
Emergency services responded, but both men were declared dead at the scene.
In Spain for a wedding
The Spanish Civil Guard is investigating the crash, including the possibility of excessive speed.
Jota had chosen to travel by car on medical advice following a minor surgery at the end of the season, which led doctors to advise against flying.
On Wednesday, just before the accident, he had reportedly lunched with his wife and children in Leça da Palmeira, following a weekend spent attending weddings of close friends, including fellow footballer José Sá.
The Portuguese forward had recently married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 22.
The couple had three children together.
A Career of Determination and Talent
Diogo Jota, born in Massarelos, Porto, began his professional career at Paços de Ferreira and later played for FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Liverpool in 2020.
In five seasons at the English club, he won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup (twice), and the Community Shield.
Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal and scored 12 goals. He was part of the national squad that won the UEFA Nations League, most recently in June 2024, just weeks before his death.
His brother, André Silva, was a professional footballer for Penafiel, a club in Portugal’s second division.
National and International Tributes
News of the tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief across the football world and Portuguese society.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences, describing the loss as a “tragic and premature death” that has left the country in mourning.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called the deaths "unexpected and tragic," saying it was "a sad day for football and for Portuguese sport."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the news as “devastating,” extending his sympathies to Jota’s family and friends.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota in 2020, recalled the striker’s maturity and strong personality:
“He was an exceptional player. Despite being young, he was incredibly mature. It was a pleasure to work with him.”
Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on social media:
“It doesn’t make sense. We were just together with the national team. You had just gotten married. My thoughts are with your wife, your children. Rest in peace, Diogo and André.”
Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), called Jota “a reference” in Portuguese football:
“He was someone we all aspired to be. A talent of his generation—but above all, a deeply respected person.”
Former national coach Fernando Santos said he was “completely shocked,” praising Jota’s work ethic and determination:
“He got to the top through hard work and pure dedication.”
Clubs across Portugal expressed their sorrow. FC Porto, Sporting, and Benfica all issued messages of support and solidarity with Jota’s family.
The Portuguese Olympic Committee also offered its condolences.