Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain aged 28, just 11 days after marrying his long-term partner in Portugal. The Portuguese international was found dead alongside his brother Andre Silva after their vehicle went off the A-52 motorway near Zamora.
The Spanish civil guard said the crash occurred at 12.40am on Thursday in Palacios de Sanabria. Spanish media reported that the car left the road due to a tyre blowout whilst overtaking.
Vehicle caught fire after crash
The Zamora provincial council confirmed the vehicle, reported in Spanish press to be a Lamborghini, "ran off the road and caught fire, which spread to the surrounding vegetation". Police confirmed no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Liverpool said the club was "devastated" by the news, describing it as an "unimaginable loss". The Portuguese Football Federation also expressed devastation, stating: "Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football."
Fans leave tributes at Anfield
Liverpool fans began leaving tributes outside Anfield on Thursday morning, with flowers and messages including "thanks for everything, Diogo". Jota scored six goals in 26 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign.
The Portuguese national team praised him as "not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents". The statement added: "He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community."
Recent wedding celebration
Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso on 22nd June in Portugal. On Wednesday, the couple posted wedding footage with the caption: "A day we will never forget."
Jota and Cardoso, 28, had been together since 2013 and have three children together - two sons and a daughter born in November. He frequently shared family pictures on Instagram, whilst his wife posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland.
Parliamentary tribute offered
The couple also owned three pet beagles. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons the whole House "is heartbroken by this news", adding: "I wanted to send our sympathies to his family on behalf of the whole House."
Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said he was "heartbroken" by the news and that Jota's death was a "huge loss to our city and the world of football".
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
