By Ghazali Ibrahim
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his 26-year-old brother André Silva died in a high-speed car accident near Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday just two weeks after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso.
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known as Diogo Jota, leaves behind his wife and three children.
According to Spanish authorities, the brothers were traveling on the A‑52 motorway near Cernadilla when a tire blowout caused the Lamborghini they were driving to veer off the road and burst into flames.
Emergency services confirmed both occupants died at the scene.
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, played 182 matches, scored 65 goals, and provided 26 assists.
He was a key part of Liverpool’s 2024–25 Premier League title and Portugal’s 2025 UEFA Nations League victories .
The forward married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, on June 22. The couple shared photos and heartfelt messages on social media, with Jota describing himself as the “luckiest man in the world”.
Liverpool FC, describing the event as an “unimaginable loss,” requested privacy for the grieving family and staff. Also, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) mourn the loss saying the country is “completely devastated” and asked UEFA for a moment of silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euro match.
Legendary teammates and football icons, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and LeBron James, joined the tributes.
Liverpool fans held reflection vigils outside Anfield, while rival clubs also shared condolences.
Spanish emergency responders reported that several callers alerted them to a burning vehicle at kilometer 65 on the A‑52.
The motorway, a key route from northern Portugal, was partially closed as investigators examined the scene.
Given this calamity, Liverpool fans and the global football community are mourning a dazzling talent lost at the height of his career just days after celebrating his happiest life moment.
