‘Unimaginable loss’: Football world in mourning as Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies in car crash

The football world is in mourning after the shocking death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota.

He was 28.

The Civil Guard said a vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora in Spain, confirming the deaths of Jota and his brother Andre, 26.

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“Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking,” the Civil Guard said in a statement.

Portuguese football federation president Pedro Proenca wrote on social media that he was “devastated”, calling Jota “an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents, someone blessed with an infectious joy and a reference for his own community”.

Proenca said they had asked UEFA for a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 match against Spain in Switzerland on Thursday.

“We have lost two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva are irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything possible to honour their legacy every day,” Proenca added.

Jota had married his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, posting a video of their wedding on Instagram just hours before the accident.

They had three children.

Liverpool's Portuguese striker #20 Diogo Jota lifts the Premier League trophy at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 25, 2025. Liverpool equalises 1 - 1 against Crystal Palace. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) Source: AFP

The former Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers star scored nine goals in all competitions last season as Liverpool cruised to their 20th Premier League title.

He made 123 appearances and scoring 47 goals, while winning four trophies.

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” a statement read.

“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.

“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

Tributes have flowed throughout the football world.

Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo posted (translated): “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married.

“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

Liverpool great Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports News: “I cannot believe it, it’s so sad and devastating for his family, his wife and three wonderful children.

“He lived really close to us but kept himself to himself. He came across as very quiet and humble, a real family man. He seemed like a great guy and of course a great footballer.

“It’s difficult to find the words to say. It’s not really about the football and Liverpool right now, but about his family and three lovely kids.

“The whole of football comes together in situations like this. The summer he’s had, he’s just won the Premier League with Liverpool, the Nations League with Portugal and got married two weeks ago. It just shows us all how quickly life can change, you can’t even comprehend it.

“It makes us all take a step back and look at how important things really are, maybe football itself. We get passionate and heated about the game, myself included, but this makes you think, ‘Why? What for?’

“For everyone in the game, certainly in England and the Premier League, that Liverpool game on the Friday night will be about Diogo Jota, not about the result. It’ll be a huge outpouring of emotion. You think of the players, the relationships he had, how they will feel today with the news.

“I didn’t know Diogo particularly well but I’m in a state of shock. His team-mates at Liverpool and Portugal must be in a world of pain, along with his family. I can imagine this is really going to hit his team-mates but I’m sure the football club will come together and try to make the future by thinking of their mate Diogo.”

- with AFP

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