Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, have tragically died in a car accident in northwestern Spain.
This incident was confirmed by the authorities on Thursday.
It was reported by the Spanish Civil Guard that the two Portuguese footballers were found dead after their Lamborghini veered off the A-52 highway near Zamora and burst into flames.
Initial investigations pointed to a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver.
Details of the Accident
The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time in the municipality of Cernadilla, near Palacios de Sanabria, on the A-52 highway.
According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the vehicle left the road after a tyre burst, rolled into a ditch, and caught fire, igniting surrounding vegetation.
Emergency services, including the Zamora Traffic Police and del Puente Fire Station, responded but could not save the brothers.
No other vehicles were involved, and the investigation into the precise cause continues.
Jota’s Illustrious Career
Diogo Jota, is a beloved figure at Liverpool FC since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for £41 million.
He played a key role in the club’s 2024/25 Premier League title win, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.
Over his tenure, he netted 65 goals in 182 matches, also securing the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022.
A Portugal international with 49 caps, Jota won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025, with his final match being a victory over Spain on June 8, 2025.
His brother, Andre Silva, was a professional footballer for Penafiel in Portugal’s second tier.
Tributes Pour In
The football world is reeling from the loss.
Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing devastation and requesting privacy for the family, friends, and teammates of Diogo and Andre.
“The memories he created will never be forgotten,” the club said. Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called the deaths “unexpected and tragic.”
The Portuguese Football Federation described Jota as “an extraordinary person” with “contagious joy.”
They also announced a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euros match against Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s former national team captain, shared a heartfelt tribute:“It doesn’t make sense.
Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married.”
Clubs like Everton, Manchester United, and Porto, where Jota played on loan in 2016-17, also expressed condolences, with Porto noting the brothers’ exemplary representation of the club.
Personal Loss and Legacy
Jota’s death comes just two weeks after his marriage to long-term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025, with whom he had three children.
Known for his warm personality and passion for gaming, Jota owned an esports team, Luna Galaxy, and was a prominent figure in FIFA 21 tournaments.
His iconic triangle gesture and video game controller celebration endeared him to fans worldwide.
Liverpool fans have begun laying flowers at Anfield’s Bill Shankly gates, and the city’s town hall flag has been lowered to half-mast.
UEFA has confirmed moments of silence at Women’s Euros matches to honor the brothers. As tributes continue, Jota’s legacy as a dynamic player and cherished individual endures.