In the early hours of July 3, 2025, the football world was stunned by news that Liverpool forward Diogo Jota had been killed in a car accident in Zamora, Spain. The 28-year-old Portuguese international was traveling on the A-52 highway in a Lamborghini with his brother, fellow footballer André Silva, when a tyre blew out. The vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames. Tragically, both Jota and his 26-year-old brother André died in the crash. The news was especially heartbreaking since Jota had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just two weeks earlier; the couple shared three young children. Fans described the loss as “utterly unreal,” remembering Jota for his skill, humility and resilience.
Details of the Crash
Spanish authorities confirmed that the fatal accident occurred around 00:30 on Thursday near Zamora. According to local police and emergency services, a tyre on Jota’s Lamborghini burst while overtaking, sending the car off the A-52 road.The car caught fire upon impact and spread to nearby vegetation  . First responders found that both occupants had already died at the scene. The region’s fire and medical teams noted that “two young people died in an accident on the A-52” at Palacios de Sanabria (province of Zamora). In the aftermath, images from the highway showed the charred wreckage, and Spanish police confirmed via statement that the crash took both lives.
Career Highlights
Diogo Jota had been a key player for Liverpool since joining the club in 2020. In a £44.7 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers, he quickly became known for his scoring ability and versatility. Over five seasons at Anfield, Jota made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He helped lead Liverpool to numerous trophies, including the 2024–25 Premier League title and earlier triumphs in domestic cups. Jota lifted the FA Cup in 2022 and won the League Cup (Carabao Cup) twice with Liverpool. In May 2025 he was part of the Liverpool squad celebrating the club’s first league championship in a generation.
Jota was also an important figure for the Portuguese national team. He earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring key goals in major tournaments, and was part of the squads at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. He helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League twice (2019 and 2023). Former teammates remember Jota as a fierce competitor with a champion’s attitude. His first club, Paços de Ferreira, praised him as “a reference for this club… an athlete with a champion’s attitude who reached the highest levels of professional football”. Likewise, Wolves (where he broke out in 2017–20) issued a statement saying “We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him”.
Personal Life and Milestones
Off the pitch, Jota had enjoyed a happy personal life. He married Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025, in an intimate ceremony in their hometown of Porto. Rute was Jota’s childhood sweetheart, and the pair had been together for more than a decade. Just hours before the accident, Rute had posted a video montage of their wedding day on social media. The couple had three very young children: a son, Dinis (born in 2021), and two daughters born in 2023 and 2024. Both Jota and Rute had kept their daughters’ names private. Teammates often spoke of Jota’s pride in his family; he frequently dedicated goals to his “little team.” Friends and family are now left grieving at the sudden loss of a loving husband and father who had just begun this new chapter in life.
Tributes and Reactions
Tributes poured in immediately from the football community. Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo led the outpouring of grief, posting on social media: “Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married… R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”. Former teammates and pundits were quick to react. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher tweeted his devastation, as did England great Gary Neville, sending condolences to Jota’s wife and children. Portugal midfielder Rúben Neves wrote: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano posted: “May his soul rest in peace,” sharing the shocking news on Twitter.
Liverpool Football Club issued an official statement expressing “devastation” at the news, asking for privacy for Jota’s family. Former club Porto (where Jota had played on loan) said it was “with shock and deep sorrow” and sent “heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André”. The Portuguese Football Federation lamented “We have lost two champions,” calling their deaths “irreparable losses for Portuguese football” and promising to honor their legacies. Even the government spoke up: Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Jota’s death was “unexpected and tragic,” offering “sincere condolences to his family”. UEFA confirmed that a minute’s silence would be observed at upcoming matches in honor of Jota and André (including games in the Women’s Euro 2025 tournament). Fellow players and clubs around the world shared photos and messages; one fan wrote on social media, “He just got married. How can life be this unfair?”.
Public Mourning and Memorials
Fans in Liverpool and beyond immediately began paying tribute. Supporters laid flowers, scarves and jerseys at the Anfield stadium gates and outside Afield—the club’s training ground. Many fans gathered for impromptu vigils, lighting candles in memory of Jota. The Premier League has scheduled a minute’s silence at matches this weekend in his honor. Similarly, UEFA requested a moments’ silence at ongoing Women’s Euro games. As of now no formal memorial service has been announced, but tributes are expected at upcoming Liverpool and Portugal matches. Liverpool manager expressed that the club “will continue to provide full support” to Jota’s family. Admirers worldwide are calling for a lasting tribute to his memory – discussions include dedicating a section of Anfield to Jota or establishing a youth scholarship in his name – though nothing has been confirmed at this time.
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