Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28.
Jota’s 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the accident. He was a footballer with Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.
Sky Sports News has received confirmation of Jota’s death from the Guardia Civil in Zamora where the accident took place.
They added in a statement that the accident happened at 12.30am local time (11.30pm BST) on the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.
The statement adds that the car left the road and caught fire after a tyre burst while overtaking.
Jota had married his long-term partner less than two weeks ago, and has three children.
Porto, where both Jota and his brother had played, said: “Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said on social media: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville added his own condolences, posting: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”
The Portuguese football association said in a statement: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain.
“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
They added that the association had requested a minute of silence ahead of Portugal’s game against Spain in the Women’s Euros on Thursday evening.
Diogo Jota lifts the Premier League trophy amid Liverpool’s celebrations at the end of the 2024/25 season
Jota began his career in his native Portugal, coming through the Pacos de Ferreira academy before joining Atletico Madrid in 2016.
But he never made an appearance for the LaLiga side, instead going on loan to Porto – the city where he was born – and then Wolves, where he eventually made a permanent move in 2018.
He spent two years in the Midlands under fellow Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo, before being signed by Liverpool in September 2020.
He most recently won the Premier League with Liverpool, adding to his FA Cup and Carabao Cup titles. He also featured in Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the 2021/22 Champions League final, coming on as a substitute.
He made his Portugal debut in November 2019, going on to feature at Euro 2022 and Euro 2024. He missed the 2022 World Cup through injury.
He won the Nations League twice with his country, including the most recent edition in May.
