Tragic news has emerged from Spain, as Liverpool football star Diogo Jota has sadly passed away at the age of 28 following a devastating car accident. The Portuguese international, known for his incredible talent and dedication on the pitch, died in the early hours of the morning after the vehicle he was traveling in veered off the road in northern Spain. The heartbreaking incident occurred just two weeks after Jota had joyfully celebrated his marriage to his childhood sweetheart, making this loss even more poignant.
Jota was not alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash. He was accompanied by his younger brother, André Jota, aged 26, who was also a professional footballer. Tragically, André also lost his life in the accident. The two brothers were reportedly traveling together in a high-performance Lamborghini Urus, a luxury SUV valued at approximately £150,000.
Where did Liverpool Player Diogo Jota die?
According to initial reports, the accident took place while the vehicle was overtaking another car on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, a town close to Zamora in the northwestern region of Spain, near the Portuguese border. It is believed that a sudden tyre blowout caused the driver to lose control, leading the Lamborghini to career off the road. Emergency responders arrived on the scene, but sadly, both brothers were pronounced dead.
The sudden and tragic deaths of Diogo and André Jota have sent shockwaves through the football community, with tributes pouring in from clubs, teammates, and fans around the world. Diogo Jota, who played a key role at Liverpool FC and was a cherished member of the Portuguese national team, leaves behind a legacy of talent, passion, and sportsmanship.
The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of the global football family are with the Jota family and all those affected by this profound loss.
The fatal crash occurred around 12:35 a.m., when the luxury Lamborghini supercar veered off the road under tragic circumstances. After losing control, the vehicle rolled multiple times before erupting into flames, which also ignited the nearby vegetation along the roadside. The scene was chaotic and terrifying, and emergency services were quickly dispatched to the site. Despite their rapid response, there was sadly nothing they could do to save Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities are still in the early stages of their investigation and have not yet confirmed which of the brothers was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. As they work to determine the exact cause of the crash, the sudden loss of both lives has sent a wave of shock and mourning throughout the football world.
Liverpool Football Club issued a heartfelt statement in response to the devastating news, expressing deep sorrow over the passing of one of their most beloved players. “We are devastated by this tragedy,” the statement read, “and our thoughts are with Diogo’s family, friends, teammates, and the countless fans who have experienced an unimaginable loss.” The club described the situation as heartbreaking and offered full support to those affected.
In the hours following the announcement, grief-stricken supporters began gathering at Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC. Outside the stadium, fans have laid flowers, scarves, candles, and heartfelt messages in tribute to Jota. Many were seen weeping openly, paying their respects to a player who had brought them joy and pride on the pitch, and whose future had seemed so full of promise.
Adding to the emotional weight of the tragedy is the fact that Diogo Jota had just recently celebrated a major personal milestone. He had married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, just two weeks prior. The couple had been together since they were 16 years old, and Rute, 28, is the mother of their three young children. In what would tragically become his final Instagram post, shared just hours before the accident, Jota expressed his overwhelming happiness and gratitude, calling himself “the luckiest man in the world” to be her husband.
He also shared touching footage from their wedding day, a moment filled with love and joy that now serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the life he so suddenly left behind. As tributes continue to pour in from around the world, both for Diogo and his brother André, their memory is being honored not just as footballers, but as beloved sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands whose lives were cut tragically short.
How did Diogo Jota die?
The tragic accident involving the Lamborghini occurred on the A-52 motorway, located in the province of Zamora, in northwestern Spain. The crash took place in the early hours of Thursday morning and prompted an immediate response from emergency services in the Castilla y León region. Authorities confirmed that the collision had resulted in a fatal outcome, with both occupants of the vehicle pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was officially reported at approximately 12:35 a.m.
A few hours later, at around 8:00 a.m., the devastating news was confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation. In a solemn statement, they acknowledged the deaths of Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André, marking a deeply sorrowful moment for the football world and for the nation as a whole. The confirmation of their passing sent shockwaves through the global sporting community, as tributes began to pour in for the two young men whose lives were lost in the tragic crash.
Tribute from Cristiano Ronaldo in honor of Diogo Jota
Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as Portugal’s greatest footballer and a close friend and teammate of Diogo Jota, shared a heartfelt tribute following the devastating news of Diogo and his brother André’s passing. In an emotional statement, Ronaldo expressed his shock and sorrow:
“None of this makes sense. We were just recently together with the national team, celebrating life, and now you’re gone. You had just married the love of your life, and everything seemed so full of promise. My heart breaks for your family—your wife, your children, and everyone who loved you. I send them my deepest condolences and all the strength in the world during this unimaginable time.
I know your spirit will always be with them, watching over them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. You will be missed more than words can say by all of us.”
Diogo was born with the surname Silva, but later adopted the name “Jota” professionally to distinguish himself in the football world, as “Silva” is a very common surname in Portugal. His younger brother, André, however, retained the family’s original last name and continued his football career under the name André Silva.
Diogo Jota’s Portfolio at Liverpool
Diogo Jota carved out an impressive career at both the club and international levels. Most recently, he was an integral part of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning squad during the 2024/25 season, contributing six goals in 26 appearances. His energy, versatility, and work ethic made him a fan favorite and a key figure in Liverpool’s title run.
On the international stage, Jota proudly represented Portugal and was a standout performer in their most recent triumph. Just last month, he played a significant role in helping the national team win the UEFA Nations League in a dramatic final against arch-rivals Spain, which was decided by a tense penalty shootout. That victory was a major highlight in his already distinguished international career.
His younger brother, André Silva, also pursued a career in football. He was playing for Penafiel, a club competing in Portugal’s second division, and was making a name for himself in the domestic league.
The football community remains in shock as it mourns the loss of both brothers, whose passion for the game and commitment to their careers touched many lives.