The world of football is in mourning following the tragic deaths of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, 26, after a devastating car crash in northern Spain. The crash occurred near the town of Cernadilla in Zamora at around 12:30am on Thursday, just days after Jota had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso.
According to authorities in the Castilla y León region, the Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the A-52 motorway, reportedly due to a tyre burst during an overtaking manoeuvre. The car rolled over and burst into flames. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Footage from Spanish media showed the burnt-out remains of the vehicle, flipped and destroyed on the roadside, with damaged sections of the central reservation and long tyre marks illustrating the force of the crash.
The tragedy follows closely on the heels of Jota’s June 22 wedding in Porto. Just hours before the crash, the father of three shared emotional footage from the ceremony, calling it “a day we will never forget.”
Tributes have poured in from across the football world. The Portuguese Football Federation described Jota as “an extraordinary person,” and UEFA approved a minute’s silence ahead of Portugal’s women’s Euro match. Cristiano Ronaldo expressed disbelief and sympathy, while former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said the football community was “in shock.”
At Anfield, flags were lowered, and fans gathered to pay tribute. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram both expressed condolences, calling the loss “devastating.”
As investigations continue, the football world grieves a man remembered not just for his talent, but for the joy and humility he brought to those around him.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ