Kathmandu: Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a tragic car accident early Thursday in northwestern Spain, police have confirmed.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight in Cernadilla, a municipality in the province of Zamora, when their vehicle veered off the motorway and burst into flames. Spain’s Civil Guard reported that a blown tyre during an overtaking maneuver is believed to have caused the crash.
The tragedy comes just days after Jota married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple shared their wedding video on social media hours before the fatal accident. Jota is survived by his wife and three children.
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Federation president Pedro Proenca called Jota “an extraordinary person, respected by all,” and confirmed that a minute’s silence was observed ahead of Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 match against Spain in Switzerland on Thursday.
“We have lost two champions,” Proenca said. “The deaths of Diogo and Andre Silva are irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything possible to honour their legacy every day.”
Jota was a key figure in both club and country. He played for Atletico Madrid, FC Porto, and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Liverpool, where he scored nine goals in all competitions last season, helping the club secure its 20th Premier League title.
He was widely praised not only for his on-field brilliance but also for his positive spirit and deep connection to his community.