The football world is in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who passed away in a car crash in Spain at the age of 28. His brother, Andre, 26, also died in the accident. The accident occurred early Thursday morning near Zamora, in northwestern Spain.
Reports indicate that the car, a Lamborghini, veered off the Rias Bajas Highway (A-52) after a tire burst while overtaking another vehicle. The car caught fire as a result of the accident, leading to the deaths of both occupants. Spanish authorities are continuing to investigate the crash.
Jota's death comes just 10 days after his wedding to his long-term girlfriend, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children.
Liverpool FC has expressed its devastation at the news, describing Jota's death as an "unimaginable loss". The club has requested privacy for Jota's family, friends, teammates, and club staff during this difficult time and has offered its full support to them.
Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world. Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher described the news as "devastating" and sent his thoughts to Jota's family, especially his wife and children. Jota's former Wolves teammate Raul Jimenez said he was finding it hard to believe the news, remembering Jota as an excellent colleague, friend, and father. Ruben Neves, another former teammate at Wolves, vowed to never forget him.
The Portuguese Football Federation said it was "utterly devastated" by the deaths. They described Jota as an extraordinary person, respected by teammates and opponents alike, and a reference within his community. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also expressed his condolences, calling Jota's death "unexpected and tragic" and recognizing him as an athlete who greatly honored Portugal's name.
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers. During his time at Liverpool, he made 123 appearances and scored 47 goals, winning four trophies, including the 2024-25 Premier League title. He also played a key role in Portugal's UEFA Nations League victory on June 8.
Jota began his senior career with Paços de Ferreira in 2014. Liverpool signed Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2020 for £45 million. He quickly became a fan favorite at Anfield, known for his finishing and goal-scoring ability. In total, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, also providing 26 assists. He contributed to the club's FA Cup triumph in 2021-22 and two Carabao Cup wins in 2021-22 and 2023-24.
The news of Diogo Jota's passing has sent shockwaves through the football community. His contributions to Liverpool and the Portuguese national team will be fondly remembered.