The football world is in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who passed away in a car crash in Spain early Thursday morning. The 28-year-old's untimely demise has sent shockwaves through the sport, with tributes pouring in from teammates, rivals, and fans alike.
Just hours before the devastating news broke, Jota shared a poignant video on Instagram, capturing cherished moments from his recent wedding to long-time partner Rute Cardoso. The couple, who have been together since 2012, exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony in Porto just two weeks prior. The Instagram post, captioned "A day we will never forget," along with a love heart, has now become a heartbreaking reminder of the life that has been so suddenly cut short.
The video showcased the joyous celebrations of their wedding day, featuring Jota, Cardoso, and their guests dancing the night away. A voiceover at the beginning of the footage stated, "Dear Rute, dear Diogo, today is a day that will mark your lives for the rest of your days…". This message, now laden with unforeseen significance, has further amplified the sense of grief and disbelief surrounding Jota's passing.
Jota also shared photos from the wedding ceremony earlier in the week, writing "June 22, 2025. Yes to forever". Cardoso also shared photos of the ceremony and wrote, “Yes to forever. My dream came true,”. The couple had three children together.
According to reports, the accident occurred on the A-52 highway near Palacios de Sanabria in the province of Zamora. The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed that Jota and his brother, André Silva, 25, were found dead after their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire. André Silva was also a professional footballer. He played as an attacking midfielder for Portuguese lower-division side F.C. Penafiel. Investigators have stated that no other vehicles were involved, and the cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
Liverpool Football Club released a statement expressing their devastation at the tragic loss. "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," the statement read. "Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andrés family, friends, teammates 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".
Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher shared a black and white photo of Jota on Instagram, writing, "Absolutely heartbroken by the sad news about Diogo Jota,". UEFA also paid tribute to the two brothers, "On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward, along with his brother André Silva. Our thoughts are with their family, friends, teammates and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss".
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in September 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and quickly established himself as a key player for the Reds. He won the Premier League title with Liverpool, as well as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup titles. A versatile and talented forward, Jota was known for his clinical finishing, tireless work rate, and ability to play in multiple attacking positions. He also represented Portugal at Euro 2022 and Euro 2024 and won the Nations League twice. He missed the 2022 World Cup through injury.
Jota's final social media post, now a poignant reminder of his love and happiness, has left fans heartbroken. The outpouring of grief and tributes from around the world is a testament to the impact he had on the sport and the lives of those who knew him. Diogo Jota's memory will forever be etched in the hearts of Liverpool fans and the wider football community.
