Tragic Loss in the Football Community
Tragedy has struck the football community as Diogo Jota, a prominent forward for Liverpool, along with his brother André Silva, who played professionally for Penafiel in Portugal, tragically passed away in a car crash in Spain. The devastating incident took place early on Thursday morning, around 00:30 local time, along the A-52 highway in Zamora, a province in northwestern Spain, which connects Madrid to Galicia, just north of Portugal.
Details of the Incident
Local law enforcement reported that the vehicle carrying both athletes veered off the road, leading to a serious collision that resulted in the car igniting. The two brothers were aged 28 and 26, respectively.
Tributes and Condolences
Diogo Jota had recently celebrated his marriage to Rute Cardoso in Porto, Portugal, and the couple had three children together. Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenca expressed deep sadness over the loss, stating that Jota was more than just an exceptional player, having earned nearly 50 caps for the national soccer team. He was known for his warm personality and held in high esteem by teammates and rivals alike.
In a heartfelt message, Proenca extended condolences to the families and friends of both Jota and Silva, expressing sympathy to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel as well. To honor their memory, the Portuguese Football Federation has requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence ahead of the national women’s team match against Spain in the ongoing Women’s European Championship. Proenca added, “We have lost two champions, and their passing marks a profound loss for Portuguese football. We will strive to uphold their legacy.”
Diogo Jota’s Career Highlights
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for a substantial fee of £45 million, quickly establishing himself as an essential member of the squad under former manager Jurgen Klopp. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in securing both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, and he made significant contributions in the Champions League. Over the course of 182 appearances for Liverpool, Jota scored 65 goals, and during the 2024-25 season, he helped the team clinch the Premier League title, the first league championship of his career.
Jota was also a key member of the Portugal national team, debuting in 2019, with 49 caps and 14 goals, contributing to the team’s success in winning the UEFA Nations League in both 2019 and 2025.
