Tragedy Strikes: Liverpool Star Diogo Jota and Brother Reportedly Killed in Car Accident in Spain
Jota passed away a few weeks after he married Rute Cardoso while on vacation after a successful season in which he assisted Liverpool in winning the Premier League.
Ankush Pandey
Police confirmed Thursday that Diogo Jota, a player for Liverpool, and his brother were died in a car accident in Spain after their Lamborghini went off the road and caught fire.
Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, 25, were discovered dead close to the northwest city of Zamora, according to confirmation from the Spanish Civil Guard given to The Associated Press.
While on vacation following a long season in which he helped Liverpool win the Premier League, Jota married Rute Cardoso a few weeks prior to his death. She stated, "Yes to forever," in a social media post about being married. The youngest of his three children was born the previous year.
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Police were looking into what caused the crash that happened after midnight local time. They stated the brothers were in the car alone and that no other cars were engaged. The bodies were being examined by forensic experts.
The identity of the driver was unclear. As they attempted to pass another car, the police were investigating the theory that a blown tyre caused the collision. Jota was travelling east on a remote section of roadway close to the Portuguese border when she and Silva, another Portuguese soccer player, collided.
Spanish media released video footage of the aftermath, which showed braking tyre marks swerving off the road and towards guardrails that had been blown apart. A few meters in front of the burning car, the fire had scorched the surrounding greenery. Local media released footage of the burning Lamborghini, which was captured by a trucker who was passing by the scene.
According to Portuguese media, Jota was told not to fly after a recent lung procedure and was on her way to the northern city of Santander to catch a ship to England. It was not possible to verify the reports right away. The funeral is anticipated to take place in Porto, Portugal, on Saturday.
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Jota was off from football for the summer after assisting Portugal in winning the Nations League. His final match was that June 8 final in Munich against Spain. Monday marks the return of Liverpool's players for the next campaign. However, Jota may have gotten more time off for his involvement in the Nations League. Liverpool declared themselves "devastated."
"As they attempt to cope with an unfathomable loss, Liverpool FC will not be commenting further at this time and ask that the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates, and club employees be respected." We shall remain fully committed to supporting them.
When word got out of Jota's passing, Liverpool supporters gathered outside Anfield Stadium with flowers and team scarves. At this moment, when the shock and anguish are so intensely acute, what can anyone say? Arne Slot, the manager of Liverpool, said in a statement, "I wish I had the words, but I know I do not." "All I feel are the same emotions that I know many others will have for a person, a player, and a family we care deeply about.
"I don't think like a football manager at first. They come from a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle and are part of Diogo and Andre Silva's family, who have suffered an unfathomable loss," he said. Jota won three major trophies with Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020. Jota played in 182 games with the Reds, scoring 65 goals. His final goal for the team was the game-winning goal against Everton in the Merseyside derby in April, which helped the team get closer to winning the league. Silva, his brother, played in the lower leagues for the Portuguese team Penafiel.
Tragedy Strikes: Liverpool Star Diogo Jota and Brother Reportedly Killed in Car Accident in Spain
Portugal mourns loss of brothers
Jota was described as "an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name" by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of Portugal. "I offer their family my sincerest condolences," he said.
"Today is a sad day for national and international sports, including football." Jota, who was born in Porto in 1996, debuted professionally with the Portuguese team Paços de Ferreira. Pedro Proença, head of the Portuguese Football Federation, described the community as "utterly devastated."
"Diogo Jota was not only an outstanding player who made nearly 50 appearances for the national team, but he was also a remarkable individual who was respected by both his opponents and teammates." "He was an inspiration to his community and had a contagious joy," Proença added in the statement.
Prior to Thursday's Portugal vs. Spain match at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland, there was a moment of silence. Proença declared, "We lost two champions." "We will all try our hardest to uphold their legacy every day because their deaths represent an irreversible loss for Portuguese football."
Sports world reacts
Tennis great Rafael Nadal and NBA player Lebron James, a minority owner at Liverpool, were among the many people who responded from all around the world. Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo remarked, "It doesn't make any sense." We were on the same national team just now, and you recently got married. I send my condolences to your wife, kids, and family. They have my best wishes for strength. I'm confident you'll be with them forever. André and Diogo, may you rest in peace. We will all miss you.
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In addition to other clubs, federations, and leagues, former teammates and Porto expressed their sorrow and sympathies for the deaths. "Shocked and devastated," the Premier League declared. "During this difficult time, we extend our deepest sympathies to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all of their supporters," the statement read. "A champion in football has passed away and will always be missed." We'll keep helping our friends and coworkers at the club.
UEFA expressed their condolences to the friends, family, and teammates impacted by this heartbreaking loss." It stated that Friday's Euro 2025 matches would also feature a moment of silence. An All England Club representative stated that if a player wishes to honour Jota by putting a black ribbon on their attire, it would be permitted upon request at the Wimbledon tennis competition, where the players are required to wear white uniforms while on court.
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Wilson reported from Spain's Barcelona. This report was written by James Robson, an AP Soccer Writer.
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