Diogo Jota death latest: Liverpool FC ‘devastated’ after footballer killed in car crash aged 28 | OneFootball

Diogo Jota dead: Liverpool and Portugal forward dies in car accident aged 28

Liverpool FC has said the club is “devastated” after 28-year-old Diogo Jota was killed in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother.

The Liverpool FC forward had been travelling in a Lamborghini with his brother Andre Silva when the car veered off the road and burst into flames following what police suspect was a tyre blowout while overtaking.

The pair were found dead following the collision on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday.

The incident happened just 11 days after Jota, a father of three, married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in Porto, Portugal.

Tributes are pouring in for the pair from vast numbers of former players, clubs, sporting figures, and footballing fans, who just months earlier witnessed Jota win his first Premier League title – his crowning sporting achievement.

Describing the deaths of Jota and his brother as an “unimaginable loss”, Liverpool FC said in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”

The Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement: “We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”

Pictured: Where Jota and Silva crashed in Spain

The location on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora, Spain (Emilio Fraile/PA Wire)

The site where Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died (AP)

The car crash happened at 12.40am on Thursday (AP)

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 12:36

Rayner describes Jota's death as 'absolutely heartbreaking' as she visits Anfield

Angela Rayner described the death of Diogo Jota as "absolutely heartbreaking" as she visited Anfield to pay her respects.

The Deputy Prime Minister told broadcasters: "It's heartbreaking. It is absolutely heartbreaking, and just shows how life events can change really quickly.

"You know, I'm absolutely devastated for his wife and his children and his family. I can't imagine what they're going through at the moment. My son's 28 and it just, it's really shocking."

Ms Rayner described Jota as one of Liverpool's "greatest strikers", and said the news was "devastating" for people who had woken up to it on Thursday morning.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram arriving at Anfield to leave a floral tribute in memory of Diogo Jota (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner described the death of Diogo Jota as ‘absolutely heartbreaking’ as she visited Anfield to pay her respects (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 12:30

Local authorities issue statement on Jota and Silva's deaths

Footballer Diogo Jota and his brother were killed after their car ran off the road and caught fire, local authorities said in a statement.

The Zamora Provincial Council in posted on Facebook that the fatal accident took place on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria, in the Spanish province of Zamora, which borders Portugal, at 00.40am.

In a statement, translated from the original Spanish, the authority: "A vehicle ran off the road and caught fire, which spread to the surrounding vegetation.

"The fire was put out by the fire brigade, which worked with health services and the Guardia Civil.

"Unfortunately, medics were only able to confirm the death of two young men, aged 28 and 26.

"From the Zamora Provincial Council and the Provincial Consortium we express our condolences to the families of the victims and thank all those involved for their work."

3 July 2025 12:23

Liverpool LeBron James reacts to Jota's death

LeBron James has said his prayers go out to Diogo Jota’s loved ones as he paid tribute.

In a post on X, Liverpool fan James said: “My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!!”

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 12:16

Watch: Starmer pays tribute to Jota after Liverpool player's death

Keir Starmer pays tribute to Diogo Jota after Liverpool player’s death

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to Diogo Jota after the 28-year-old Liverpool footballer was killed in a car crash in Spain. Tributes from the football world and beyond flooded in for the 28-year-old father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago. Jota was found dead alongside his brother Andre Silva following the crash on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Speaking at the launch of Labour’s 10-year plan for the NHS, the prime minister said Jota’s death was “devastating news”.

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 12:09

In pictures: People gather to leave tributes at Anfield Stadium in memory of Jota

People gather to leave tributes at Anfield Stadium, home of Liverpool, in memory of Diogo Jota who has died at the age of 28 (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Tributes are paid to Diogo Jota at Anfield Stadium (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

People gather to leave tributes at Anfield Stadium following the death of player Diogo Jota (Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 12:04

Jota profile: The diminutive Portuguese talent who made his name in the Premier League

Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota, who has died in a car crash in Spain, made his name in the Premier League.

Jota, 28, was a father of three and had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago. It was also confirmed that Jota’s brother Andre, 26, died in the accident.

Tributes have poured in for the siblings, with Liverpool releasing a statement saying the club is “devastated by the tragic passing” of the 28-year-old. Portuguese prime minister Luis Montenegro called the incicdent “a sad day for football and for national and international sports”.

Chris Wilson writes:

Diogo Jota: The diminutive Portuguese talent who made his name in the Premier League

Jota played for teams including Atletico Madrid, Wolves and Liverpool in a career that brought plenty of success at club and international level

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 12:02

'Tyre blowing out while car overtaking is possible cause' behind incident in which Jota and Silva died

A tyre blowing out while the car was overtaking is the possible cause behind the incident in which Diogo Jota and Andre Silva died, according to the Spanish Civil Guard.

Its statement said: "Everything points to a tyre blowout while overtaking."

3 July 2025 11:58

Jota and brother's boyhood club pay tribute amid 'pain and disbelief'

Diogo Jota and his brother’s boyhood club has paid tribue to them, describing their “pain, disbelief and respect” following the pair’s deaths.

Gondomar SC said in a post on Facebook: “We are grounded.

“Today we mourn the tragic and premature departure of two young men who proudly wore the Gondomar Sport Club jersey.

“Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, ex-athletes from our team, lost their lives unexpectedly.

“To the family, friends and everyone who shared moments with Diogo and Andre, we leave our deepest solidarity and affection.

“Gondomar SC is a silent club today. And this silence is one of pain, disbelief and respect.

“We will forever cherish the memory of these two with the pride of having watched them grow as exemplary athletes and young men.

“R.I.P. Diogo and Andre.”

🔗 Facebook

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 11:50

Full story: Ronaldo reacts to death of Portugal teammate Jota saying ‘It doesn’t make sense’

Cristiano Ronaldo has paid a heartfelt tribute to Portugal team-mate Diogo Jota after the Liverpool forward was killed in a car crash at the age of just 28 in the early hours of Thursday morning in Spain.

Jota was in the car with his brother, Andre Silva, a footballer for FC Penafiel in Portugal, who also died. No other vehicles were involved, Spanish authorities said.

Jota recently won the Premier League title with Liverpool as well as the Nations League with Portugal. He married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso a few weeks ago, with whom he had three children.

My colleague Jamie Braidwood reports:

Tara Cobham3 July 2025 11:46