The world of football, often a kingdom of triumphs and celebrations, plunged into a deep sadness on July 3, 2025, when Diogo Jota, star of Liverpool and Portugal, and his brother André Silva lost their lives tragically in a car accident in the northwest of Spain. The accident, caused by an alleged blowout of a tire on the A-52 highway, near Zamora, caused his Lamborghini to get out of the road and explode on fire, leaving behind a trace of pain that has moved everyone.
Among the most heartbreaking moments that arose from this tragedy is the crying between tears of Jota’s little son, Dinis, who, with only four years, was heard screaming: “I need dad”, while looking at photos of his father, without knowing that perhaps he would never see him again.
Diogo Jota, 28, was a very dear figure both inside and outside the field. Key Player of Liverpool, scored 65 goals in 182 games, contributing to the conquest of the Premier League title in May 2025. His humility, work ethics and contagious smile won the love of the fans and his companions. Just 11 days before the tragedy, Jota married his love of childhood, Cardoso Rote, in a cheerful ceremony in Porto, surrounded by his three children: Dinis, Duarte and Mafalda, his nine -month -old daughter.
The couple’s love story, which began in high school, was testimony to their deep link. Rute recently shared on Instagram: “My dream came true”, along with wedding photos. Jota’s response: “I am the lucky one,” now loads with an unbearable weight of loss.
The image of Dinis, clinging to a photo of his father, with his vocercita trembling of longing, has become a symbol of the deep human cost of this tragedy. Shared in social networks by a family friend, the moment captured the raw innocence of a child who dealt with a loss that he still cannot understand. The publication, which spread rapidly along the platforms, caused a wave of pain among fans, players and even those who did not know Jota’s football skill. “No child should have to cry like this,” a user wrote in X, condensing collective pain. Dinis’s image, not knowing that his father’s smile would be frozen in the photographs, moved millions of people to tears, a crude reminder of the fragility of life.
The funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5, was a gloomy meeting of family, friends and football figures. Cardoso Rute, dressed in Blanco, walked next to her husband’s coffin; His pain was palpable when leaning on him, sustained by Jota teammate, Rúben Neves. The captain of Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk, and the coach, Arne Slot, were among those who carried floral offerings, while Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the National Jota team, expressed his disbelief: “It makes no sense. Just now we were together.” The Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, went to the children of Jota in his homily and said: “I will pray for you”, recognizing the unimaginable pain of his mother and grandparents.
Jota’s legacy goes beyond his goals and trophies. Described as “friend of all” by Arne Slot, he was a family man whose love for his wife and children defined him. His father, Joaquim Silva, and his mother, Isabel, instilled in him and André a discipline and humility that resonated in his communities. With the tributes, from the Arriadas flags of Anfield to the flowers left by the fans of the rival clubs, the world of football joined in the duel. For Dinis, Duarte and Mafalda, the loss of his father is a wound that perhaps never hesses at all. However, as the Liverpool anthem promises, they will never walk alone, taken by a global family united in love and memory.
