Diogo Jota: Liverpool 'devastated' after Portugal international dies aged 28 in car crash with younger brother

The football world has been rocked by the news of the death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota. The 28-year-old was part of Liverpool’s title-winning Premier League squad last season, having joined from Wolves in 2020. Jota's younger brother, Andre Silva, died alongside him in a tragic crash in Spain.

Diogo Jota

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Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has passed away at the age of 28.

Jota was involved in a road accident in the Spanish province of Zamora, alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, who played for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.

Jota, who recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardosa, was part of Liverpool’s title-winning Premier League squad last season.

He also helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League final in June.

"Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," a statement from the Merseyside club said.

"The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss."

A statement from Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese FA, read: "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain.

"Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.

"On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.

"The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team's match against Spain in the Women's European Championship.

"We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily."

A statement from Guardia Civil, as reported by the BBC, read: "The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking.

"It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed."

When asked by the BBC to confirm the identities of those involved in the accident, the Guardia Civil responded: "The player and his brother, Andre Silva."

Portuguese club Porto also paid tribute to their two former players, saying: "Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace."

Jota began his career with Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira before signing for Atletico Madrid in 2016.

However, he never made any appearances for the La Liga outfit. In two years at the club, he was sent out on loan to Porto and then to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who he signed for permanently in July 2018.

In 131 total appearances for Wolves, he found the net 44 times and registered 19 assists, helping the club earn promotion to the Premier League before leaving for Merseyside in September 2020.

Jota went on to enjoy tremendous success with Liverpool, appearing more than 180 times for The Reds and scoring 65 goals in that time.

His immense contributions saw him lift silverware domestically and internationally.

As well as the Premier League, Jota also won the FA Cup and two Carabao Cup crowns with Liverpool, while he helped Wolves to the Championship title during the 2017/18 season.

Jota was also a two-time Nations League winner with Portugal.