LONDON (BN24) — Liverpool forward Diogo Jota was traveling with his brother to catch a ferry to the United Kingdom when the tyre of his Lamborghini blew out, sending the vehicle careening off a Spanish highway in a crash that killed both men, authorities said.
Jota, 28, had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, just ten days earlier and was returning to England for Liverpool’s preseason preparations.
The crash occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday near Palacios de Sanabria in Spain’s Zamora province. According to local police, Jota was driving a bright green Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder along the A-52 motorway toward the northern port city of Santander. Investigators believe the high-performance car suffered a sudden tyre failure, veered off the road and caught fire on impact.
His brother André Silva, 25, a professional footballer with Portuguese second-division side Penafiel, was also killed in the crash. Emergency responders arrived quickly and managed to extinguish the flames, but both brothers were pronounced dead at the scene. Their remains were transported to a forensic unit in Zamora for autopsies.
Jota had reportedly been advised against flying after undergoing recent lung surgery. He had been recovering from injuries sustained during Liverpool’s season, including a rib injury in October in a match against Chelsea.
Hours before the accident, he was seen having lunch with his wife and their three children at a resort on Portugal’s Atlantic coast.
The fatal wreck occurred in an area described by Spanish authorities as a notorious accident black spot, with sharp bends and frequent incidents attributed to excessive speed and poor visibility. Police are investigating whether speed contributed to the tragedy.
Jota’s funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in Gondomar, his hometown near Porto. A wake is planned at Sao Cosme Chapel on Friday evening. Local priest Father Jose Manuel Macedo said the funeral mass will take place at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the Catholic church next to the chapel.
The Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is expected to attend the services.
The crash has devastated Liverpool Football Club and the wider football community. The club released a statement describing the loss as “unimaginable” and opened condolence books for supporters.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot paid tribute to the forward’s humility and work ethic. “He never chased popularity, but he found it because of how he treated people and the way he played,” Slot said. “He was loved by all.”
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota in 2020, called him “a fantastic player but an even better person.” “All my prayers and thoughts are with Rute, the kids, and everyone who loved him,” Klopp wrote.
Jota began his career in Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid. He spent a season on loan with FC Porto before joining Wolves, where he scored 17 goals in the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Liverpool signed him for £41 million in 2020, and he became a central figure in their attack, scoring 47 Premier League goals over five seasons and helping the club win the league title, the FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups.
The Portuguese Football Federation described Jota as “not only a fantastic player but an extraordinary person.” He earned nearly 50 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals, and recently helped the national team win the UEFA Nations League.
Tributes have poured in from across the sport. Cristiano Ronaldo expressed disbelief over the loss, writing: “It doesn’t make sense… Rest in peace, Diogo and André.” Lionel Messi posted a photo of Jota making a heart gesture, adding “QEPD”—“may he rest in peace.”
Premier League officials, former Liverpool stars, and football legends including Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and David Beckham have all offered condolences.
The Lamborghini manufacturer also expressed its sympathy in a statement, saying: “In this moment of deep sorrow, we extend our heartfelt condolences to their family.”
Jota’s death has shocked fans in Portugal, the UK, and around the world. As the football community prepares to say goodbye, his life is being remembered as one marked by extraordinary talent, humility, and love for his family.
thesun.co.uk
