Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain

https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/07/03/10/313cfa5244821e6a8d411cd7d2c031f9Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzUxNjE5MzE4-2.79348018.jpg?width=1200&auto=webp&crop=3%3A2

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died aged 28 after a car accident in Spain.

Jota was in the car with his 26-year-old brother, Andre, a footballer for FC Penafiel in Portugal, who also died. No other vehicles were involved in the crash shortly after midnight local time, Spanish authorities said.

It has been just two weeks since the 28-year-old star married long-term partner Rute Cardoso in Porto. “A day we will never forget,” reads the caption of his last Instagram post, which shows a video of the wedding day.

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

The Portugal international joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and established himself as a key attacker under Jurgen Klopp and latterly Arne Slot, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in his five-year spell at Anfield.

He was also a key member of Portugal’s national football team, which has said they are “devastated” to hear of the forward’s death.

Jota was “not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”, his national team mates added.

Porto FC, a major club in Jota’s home city where he played on loan during the 2016-17 season, said it is “in mourning”.

“It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks,” the club said.

Liverpool Football Club have not yet commented on the reports.

Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation, said in a statement: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked Uefa for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.

“We lost to two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honour their legacy.”

Portuguese prime minister Luis Montenegro posted on social media: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”

Born in Porto in 1996, Jota joined the Pacos de Ferreira youth setup in 2013 before making his senior debut in autumn 2014.

He first appeared in Portugal’s top division in February 2015, becoming the youngest player at his club to score in the top division. Jota joined Spanish club Atletico Madrid in 2016, before his move to the Premier League one year later.

After starring for Wolverhampton Wanderers for two years, he stepped up to a Liverpool team who had just won the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp.

Jota arrived at Anfield in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions. He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League.

Among the tributes are many former players, including Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who said: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning.

“Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”

Former Manchester United right back Gary Neville, now a broadcaster and podcaster, said: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”