The football world is in mourning following the tragic deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother, André Silva, 25, who died in a car crash in northwestern Spain on Thursday. FIFA paid tribute to the Portuguese brothers before the Club World Cup quarterfinal games held on Friday in Orlando, Florida, and Philadelphia.

The accident occurred just after midnight on Thursday near Zamora when the Lamborghini they were driving crashed and burst into flames on an isolated stretch of highway. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, with a blown tire currently suspected. No other vehicles were involved.

At Camping World Stadium in Orlando, prior to the match between Al Hilal and Fluminense, players formed a circle at midfield as the video board displayed a photo of Diogo Jota and his brother. The crowd observed a moment of silence. A similar tribute was held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia before the game between Brazil's Palmeiras and Chelsea. Players on both teams wore black armbands, and a black-and-white photo of the brothers was displayed on the stadium screen.

Chelsea's Pedro Neto, a friend and Portugal national teammate of Diogo Jota, made a heartfelt gesture by walking onto the pitch with a jersey bearing the first names of Jota and André Silva. Neto held up the jersey during the moment of silence with the help of teammate Enzo Fernández.

The news of Jota's death comes just two weeks after he married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children, the youngest of whom was born last year. Silva played for the Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his sadness, saying, "I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva… they will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community". Flags at the Home of FIFA in Zürich, Switzerland, were set at half-mast.

Al Hilal's Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, former teammates of Jota, were visibly emotional during the minute of silence before their match against Fluminense. Neves posted a tribute on Instagram, saying, "More than a friendship, we're family, and we're not going to stop being family just because you've decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!".

The Portuguese Football Federation also released a statement: "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva".

Tributes have poured in from across the footballing world, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, and the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Britain among those mourning the loss. Liverpool FC also expressed their devastation at the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.