Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, a footballer for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, died in a car crash near Zamora, northwest Spain, in the early hours of Thursday, according to local media.
The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed the Lamborghini they were travelling in left the road after a tyre burst during an overtaking manoeuvre, causing the vehicle to crash and catch fire. Both brothers died at the scene.
The football world reacted with immediate grief. Liverpool FC stated:
The club has been informed that Diogo Jota, aged 28, has passed away following a traffic accident in Spain alongside his brother, André. Liverpool will make no further comment at this time and requests that the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates and all club staff is respected at this unimaginable time.
UEFA announced a minute’s silence at all Women’s Euro 2025 matches on 3–4 July, honouring the brothers during Portugal’s fixture against Spain and other group games.
Porto FC, where Jota previously played, shared condolences for their former youth player André Silva, while Wolverhampton Wanderers—where Jota rose to prominence between 2017–2020—recalled how he was “adored by fans” and left indelible memories.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s international teammate, posted:
It makes no sense. Just now we were together with the national team, just now you were getting married. To your family, your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and André. We will all miss you.
The accident occurred barely two weeks after Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, whom he celebrated in a social media post declaring, “Yes, to forever.” The couple leave behind three young children.
Jota’s career peak included winning the Premier League with Liverpool in May 2024, adding to earlier EFL and FA Cup triumphs. Days before his death, he secured his second UEFA Nations League title with Portugal, defeating Spain in a penalty shootout on 8 June.
Diogo Jota’s journey began at Gondomar before progressing through Porto’s academy, Atlético Madrid, and Wolves. At Liverpool, he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, becoming a pivotal figure in their attacking lineup. André Silva, though less renowned, carved his own path in Portugal’s Liga 2 after spells with Gondomar and Penafiel.
