Diogo Jota dies in Spain car crash with brother

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car crash in Spain, aged 28.

The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning near the town of Cernadilla in Zamora. His younger brother, Andre Silva, also died at the scene.

According to Spain’s Guardia Civil, the pair were travelling in a Lamborghini when the car suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, veered off the road, and caught fire.

The crash occurred at approximately 12.30 am local time. Authorities confirmed both men were found dead inside the vehicle.

The tragedy comes less than two weeks after Jota married long-time partner Rute Cardoso, in Porto. The couple had three children.

Liverpool confirmed Jota’s death on Thursday morning. “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the club said.

They requested privacy for the family, adding that they ‘will continue to provide them with our full support’.

The Portuguese Football Federation also paid tribute. President Pedro Proenca said Portuguese football was ‘completely devastated’, describing Jota as ‘an extraordinary person’.

Jota began his career at Pacos de Ferreira before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2016.

Although he never played for the Spanish giants, loan moves to Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers paved the way for a permanent transfer to the Premier League.

His standout performances under Nuno Espirito Santo earned him a move to Liverpool in 2020.

Jota became a reliable goalscorer and a crucial part of the team. He won the FA Cup and League Cup under Jurgen Klopp and was part of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning squad last term.

Jota made 49 appearances for Portugal, scoring 14 goals. He featured at the last two European Championships and helped his country win the Nations League twice.

His brother, Andre, was also a professional footballer and most recently played for Penafiel in Liga Portugal 2.

The news has stunned the football community. Tributes have poured in for the two brothers, whose lives and careers have been cruelly cut short.