LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Diogo Jota of Liverpool … More
Liverpool and Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes to Diogo Jota after the Portugal forward died in a car accident in Spain.
The 28-year-old was killed along with his brother Andre Silva, 26, when the vehicle they were travelling in came off the road in the province of Zamora at around midnight CET on Wednesday (6pm ET).
The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, but initial reports from the police indicate the driver lost control after one of the Lamborghini’s rear tyres was punctured while overtaking another vehicle.
The car then burst into flames on impact.
Jota, a father of three young children, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just two weeks ago.
The Liverpool forward had met Cardoso at high school and the pair began dating in 2013, a year before he turned professional. They tied the knot in Porto on 22 June, before making the news public on social media a few days later.
“Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married,” Ronaldo, who played with Jota for Portugal, wrote in a post on social media.
“To your family, to your wife, your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Liverpool said they were “devastated” by the “unimaginable loss” of the forward, whom they signed from Wolverhampton for £40m back in 2020.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the Premier League champions said in a statement.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”
The Premier League also paid tribute to Jota and his brother.
“Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André,” it said in a statement.
“Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.”
Diogo Jota “will always be remembered”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 03: Tributes are laid for Liverpool player Diogo Jota at Anfield on July … More
Since moving to Anfield, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Liverpool, winning the Premier League title in May along with the FA Cup in 2022 and the League Cup in 2024.
The Portuguese moved to England in 2017 as he joined Wolves on loan from Atletico Madrid, before making the move permanent the following summer.
He won the Championship in his first season with Wolves as they were promoted to the Premier League. In three seasons at Molineux, Jota scored 44 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions.
“Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves,” the club said in a statement.
“The memories he created will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, André.
“You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”
Jota was also a two-time Nations League winner with Portugal, lifting the trophy in 2019 and last month. He played 49 times for his country, scoring 14 goals after making his international debut in 2019.
Jota began his professional career in his home country with Pacos de Ferreira before joining Atletico Madrid in 2016. He returned to Portugal to spend the 2016-17 season on loan at Porto, before joining Wolves.
Diogo Jota was one of Portugal’s brightest stars
MUNICH, GERMANY – JUNE 08: Diogo Jota of Portugal poses for a photograph with the UEFA Nations … More
Jota’s brother Andre was also a footballer, playing for Penafiel in the Portuguese second division.
Silva left Porto in 2017 and joined Gondomar in 2021, after spending the intervening three years at the youth academies of three different Portuguese clubs.
He signed for Penafiel on in 2023 and made 59 league appearances over the past two seasons.
“The Portuguese football federation and the entire Portuguese football community are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, this morning in Spain,” Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Association, wrote on social media.
“Much more than a fantastic player, who played almost 50 matches for the national A team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players played respectively.”
Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who is now the president at Porto, added: “This is a moment of profound dismay for the entire Porto fanbase and for all Portuguese people.
“Two young men tragically lost their lives, two men who represented FC Porto in an exemplary manner and who will be remembered not only for their football but also for their personal and human qualities.
“To the family and friends of Diogo and Andre, still devastated by the injustice of their untimely loss, I offer my condolences. Football has lost two great men.”
