The football world is in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash in Spain at the age of 28.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died when their Lamborghini crashed in the Spanish province of Zamora. The incident occurred at approximately 00:30 local time on Thursday, according to the Guardia Civil.
BBC Sport reports that Jota was en route back to Liverpool for pre-season training. He had recently undergone minor surgery and had opted to travel by car and ferry on medical advice against flying.
The journey began in Porto, where Jota had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days prior. The couple had three children.
The accident reportedly occurred after a tyre blowout caused the vehicle to veer off the road while overtaking. Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer, playing for Portuguese second-tier side Penafiel.
Liverpool Football Club issued a statement describing Jota’s passing as a “tragedy that transcends” the club. Fans gathered outside Anfield throughout the day, laying flowers, scarves, shirts, and flags at the Hillsborough memorial in tribute.
Reds manager Arne Slot expressed his heartbreak, saying Jota was “the essence of what a Liverpool player should be.” He later added, “Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.”
Slot revealed that his last conversation with Jota was to congratulate him on Portugal’s Nations League win and to send his best wishes ahead of the wedding.
“In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this,” he said. He added that both the club and its fans are supporting Jota’s family, saying, “the same can be said of the wider family of football.”
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 and made a significant impact, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances. He played a key role in helping the club secure the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and the Premier League title last season.
The club led the tributes on Thursday, stating it was “devastated” by such an “unimaginable loss.” Further messages followed throughout the day, with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG’s football CEO Michael Edwards calling it “a tragedy that transcends Liverpool football club.”
They added that the club would honour Jota with “the respect and affection” he deserves and spoke of “a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain” following the loss of someone “truly irreplaceable.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk called it a “privilege” to have played alongside Jota and shared a friendship off the pitch. “We will miss you beyond words and never forget you,” said Van Dijk. “Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it.”
Andy Robertson, Jota’s teammate and Scotland international, described him as “the most British foreign player” he had met.
On Instagram, he shared a heartfelt tribute: “The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.”
Liverpool’s owners and leadership team — Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner, and Mike Gordon — expressed their grief in a joint statement, saying they were “numb with grief.”
They continued: “Beyond the player that we all knew was a wonderfully humble human being, he was sincere, intelligent, funny, tough and created connections with people everywhere he went. He had a zest for life that was utterly contagious.”
Jota had previously played for Pacos de Ferreira, Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring 44 goals in 131 appearances for Wolves before moving to Anfield.
His final game was for Portugal in their UEFA Nations League final win against Spain. He earned 49 caps for the national team and scored 14 goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain and five-time Ballon d’Or winner, expressed disbelief in a message on social media: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married.”
He added: “I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo e Andre. We will miss you.”
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who brought Jota to Anfield, said he was “heartbroken.” Posting on Instagram, Klopp wrote: “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father. We will miss you so much.”
Supporters flooded to Anfield to honour the player, creating a sea of tributes outside the stadium. Among them was John Barlow, a Hillsborough disaster survivor, who said he was “absolutely devastated” and had to leave work upon hearing the news.
Jota was admired not only for his determination and energy on the pitch but also for his warm, outgoing nature away from football. “The success that he has helped bring to this city will never be forgotten,” said Liverpool City Region metro mayor Steve Rotheram.
Liverpool FC has opened both digital and physical books of condolence for the public. The physical book will be available to sign at Anfield from Thursday through Sunday.
A wake for Jota and his brother is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Porto, with their funeral taking place the following day.
