Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, 28, famed for his performances with Liverpool FC and the Portugal national team, tragically lost his life early Thursday in a car accident near Zamora, northwestern Spain. His brother, André Silva, 26, also a professional footballer with Penafiel, was killed in the crash .

The incident occurred shortly before 00:40 local time on July 3, 2025, along the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla in Zamora province.
 A tyre reportedly burst while overtaking, causing their Lamborghini to veer off the road, collide, and catch fire. Both brothers were found dead at the scene.

Spanish authorities confirmed no other vehicles were involved; the exact cause remains under investigation.

Life & Career Highlights

Diogo Jota (Diogo José Teixeira da Silva) was born on December 4, 1996, in Porto. He began his youth career at Gondomar and Paços de Ferreira, and after spells with Atlético Madrid, Porto (loan), and Wolves, he joined Liverpool in 2020.

Over five seasons with Liverpool, Jota made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals, and helped the team win the 2024–25 Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup.

Internationally, he earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals, contributing to Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph last month. His brother, André Filipe da Silva, was born April 28, 2000. He had played for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.

Diogo married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 22, 2025—just 10 days before his untimely death. The couple had three young children.

Liverpool FC, Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and the Portuguese Football Federation expressed profound grief. The federation has requested a minute of silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euros match against Spain.

Tributes flooded in from football icons:

• Gary Neville: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”
• Piers Morgan: “Desperately sad news… he only got married 2 weeks ago. Heart‑breaking.”
• Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, David De Gea, Iker Casillas, Fernando Santos, among others, also shared condolences.
• Jota’s former clubs—Liverpool, FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon, and Wolves—have expressed deep sorrow and support for the grieving family.

Diogo Jota was renowned for his electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and infectious enthusiasm—both on the pitch and off it, where he maintained a prominent presence in esports and streaming communities. At 28, in the prime of his career and with a young family, his passing is a devastating blow to football, his loved ones, and fans worldwide.

Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Rute Cardoso, their children, and the entire Jota–Silva family in this unbearable time.