In a devastating blow to the world of football, Portuguese international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, at the age of 28. His younger brother, André, 26, also lost his life in the crash.
The accident occurred early Thursday morning along the A‑52 motorway, near the area of Cernadilla and Palacios de Sanabria, in the northern province of Zamora. According to reports from Spanish emergency services and eyewitness accounts, the vehicle veered off the road and caught fire shortly after the im
pact.
The deaths of both brothers have been confirmed by multiple reputable news outlets, including The Times UK, HuffPost Spain, Marca, and talkSPORT. Spanish television network TVE also reported the tragedy, citing emergency responders at the scene.
A Career Cut Short
Jota, whose full name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, had been a rising star in European football. Known for his sharp instincts in front of goal and incredible work ethic, he rose through the ranks from Paços de Ferreira to stints with Atlético Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finally Liverpool FC, where he became a fan favorite.
He was also a key member of the Portuguese national team, representing his country at the UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and recently contributing to their 2025 UEFA Nations League qualifiers.
A Personal Milestone Turned Tragic
Shockingly, the tragedy comes just days after a personal milestone. On June 22, 2025, Jota married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso in a private ceremony. The couple were parents to three young children, and the footballer's recent social media posts had shown the family enjoying what looked like the happiest moments of their lives.
Public Mourning and Tributes
As the news broke, tributes began pouring in from around the footballing world. Liverpool FC released a brief statement expressing "deep sorrow and shock at the tragic passing of a beloved player and teammate." Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is also expected to release a formal statement of condolence.
Fans have gathered outside Anfield and Estádio do Dragão, holding vigils and lighting candles in memory of the star. Clubs, teammates, and fans across the globe have flooded social media with tributes, photos, and memories of a player described by many as "gifted, humble, and relentless."
Final Farewell
As investigations into the accident continue, arrangements for funeral services are reportedly underway in Portugal, where the bodies of Diogo and André Jota are expected to be repatriated. The footballing world, and indeed the world at large, mourns not just the loss of a gifted athlete, but of a man who had so much life still to give.
Diogo Jota (1996–2025)
André Jota (1998–2025)
Gone
too soon, but never forgotten.
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