Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28.
Jota’s 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the accident. He was a footballer with Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.
The accident happened at 12.30am local time on Thursday (11.30pm Wednesday BST) on the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.
It is understood Jota was travelling from Portugal to Santander in northern Spain, where he was due to take the ferry back to England. He had been advised not to fly following minor surgery. Jota was due to report back to Liverpool’s training ground for pre-season with the rest of the squad next week.
Sky Sports News understands there will be a wake on Friday afternoon to remember Jota. It will take place in Gondomar, near Porto in Portugal, where the funeral will then take place on Saturday at 10am. Wakes typically take place before the funeral service in Portugal.
The car Jota and his brother were travelling in left the road and caught fire after a suspected burst tyre while overtaking, according to a statement issued to Sky Sports News by the Civil Guard in Zamora.
The statement given to Sky Sports News by the Civil Guard in Zamora said:
“A road accident occurred at 12.30am this morning at kilometre 65 of the A-52 motorway, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.
“A vehicle left the road and everything indicates a tyre burst while overtaking. As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed.
“Pending the completion of forensic tests, one of the deceased has been identified as Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, and his brother, Andre Felipe.”
Jota had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago, and had three children.
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Liverpool said in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool after joining the club in 2020 from Wolves, where he scored 44 goals in 131 games.
The forward helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season and also lifted an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups with the club.
He followed last season’s Premier League title triumph by winning the UEFA Nations League for the second time with Portugal in June. In total, he scored 14 goals in 49 games for the national side.
Jota also had spells with Pacos de Ferreira, Porto and Atletico Madrid earlier in his career.
Carragher ‘in a state of shock’ after Jota death
Jamie Carragher described his shock at the news and paid tribute to Jota as a “family man”.
“It’s one of the few times the whole football family comes together,” he told Sky Sports News. “I cannot believe it, it’s so sad and devastating for his family, his wife and three wonderful children.
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Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says football is coming together to mourn the death of Diogo Jota and his brother.
“He lived really close to us but kept himself to himself. He came across as very quiet and humble, a real family man. Seemed like a great guy and of course a great footballer.
“It’s difficult to find the words to say. It’s not really about the football and Liverpool right now, but about his family and three lovely kids.
“The summer he’s had, he’s just won the Premier League with Liverpool, the Nations League with Portugal and got married two weeks ago. It just shows us all how quickly life can change, you can’t even comprehend it.
“It makes us all take a step back and look at how important things really are, maybe football itself. We get passionate and heated about the game, myself included, but this makes you think, Why? What for?”
Jota’s Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez wrote on Instagram: “There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.
“I send all my strength to his family. From where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.”
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Tributes pour in from around football
Wolves, where Jota spent three years in total, posted a tribute to their former player, saying: “We are heartbroken.
“Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his team-mates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre. You will be truly missed and always remembered.”
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played with Jota for the national team, said on social media: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
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Jurgen Klopp – who signed Jota for Liverpool – said he was ‘heartbroken’ to hear of his former player’s passing.
In an Instagram post, he said: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!”
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The Portuguese FA said in a statement: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
A minute’s silence was held for Jota ahead of the Women’s Euros matches featuring Spain vs Portugal and Belgium vs Italy on Thursday evening.
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In pictures: Fans pay tribute at Anfield
‘Jota brought incredible joy to Wolves fans’
Sky Sports News reporter Johnny Phillips, who spent time with Jota during his Wolves career, said: “He was an incredible presence at Wolves and the club will feel this really deeply.
“He arrived as a 20-year-old to a mid-table Championship team with his great friend Ruben Neves and lifted the place incredibly.
“During Nuno Espirito Santo’s rise at Wolves, we made a couple of documentaries and Diogo was really helpful. He was a young kid trying to make his way in Wolverhampton.
“English wasn’t his native tongue but he was happy to speak and always did his best. He was incredibly loved at Wolves.
“He was an incredible character on the pitch and an incredible presence off it. A really lovely lad who brought incredible joy to Wolves fans.”
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “Diogo was a top player and, for me, one of the top three players in the whole 10 years that Fosun and I have been here.
“But he was also a nice boy who was very warm, very nice and always understanding, but he was also demanding.
“As a top player, you sometimes have to demand your team-mates to do well, and although he was never a player on the pitch to shout, you could always see what he wanted from you.
“Diogo will be sorely missed by everyone here at Wolves and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
