Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portuguese international footballer, tragically passed away in a car crash in Spain alongside his younger brother, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed. Jota was 28 years old.
The accident occurred near Cernadilla, Zamora, in northwestern Spain. Jota’s brother, André Silva, aged 25 and a player for Portuguese second division club Penafiel, also lost his life.
According to Spain’s Guardia Civil, preliminary investigations suggest the crash was caused by a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle around 12:30 a.m. local time. The car, reported by Spanish media to be a Lamborghini, caught fire following the incident.
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed profound sorrow over the loss of both Jota and Silva, calling Diogo “not only a fantastic player with nearly 50 appearances for the national team but also an extraordinary person beloved by teammates and opponents alike.”
Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal, helping secure the UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025. He played a key role in Liverpool’s recent Premier League title-winning season, scoring six goals and assisting four in 26 matches.
Starting his career at Paços de Ferreira in Portugal, Jota then moved to Atlético Madrid. During his time there, he was loaned to Porto and later Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League. His impressive performances earned him a transfer to Liverpool in 2020, where he also won the FA Cup and League Cup.
Liverpool Football Club expressed deep grief over Jota’s passing, requesting privacy for the families of both Diogo and André during this difficult time.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota during the Nations League campaigns, shared heartfelt condolences on social media, remembering their recent time together and sending strength to Jota’s wife and children.
Liverpool teammate Darwin Núñez also paid tribute, recalling Jota’s infectious smile and spirit both on and off the field, while football legend Steven Gerrard sent his sympathies to the family and friends.
