Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota dies in Spain car crash at 28

1 dzień temu

Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain aged 28.

The Portuguese international was found dead alongside his brother Andre Silva after their vehicle went off the A-52 motorway near Zamora, the Spanish civil guard said.

The civil guard said the crash occurred at 12.40am on Thursday in Palacios de Sanabria.

Spanish media reported that the car left the road due to a tyre blowout whilst overtaking.

Vehicle caught fire

The Zamora provincial council said the vehicle, which police said was a Lamborghini, “ran off the road and caught fire, which spread to the surrounding vegetation”.

Liverpool said the club was "devastated" by the news, describing it as an "unimaginable loss".

The Portuguese Football Federation added: "Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football."

Fans leave tributes at Anfield

Liverpool fans began leaving tributes outside Anfield on Thursday morning, with flowers and messages including "thanks for everything, Diogo".

Jota scored six goals in 26 appearances during the title-winning 2024/25 campaign.

In a statement, the Portuguese national team said: “Diogo 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.

The statement added: "He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community."

Jota had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso on 22nd June in Portugal.

On Wednesday, the couple posted wedding footage with the caption: "A day we will never forget."

Jota and Cardoso, 28, had reportedly been together since 2013 and have three children together - two sons and a daughter.

Ronaldo pays emotional tribute

Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota's family "all the strength in the world" following the Liverpool forward's death.

A translated version of his message on Instagram said: "Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married."

Ronaldo added: "To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons the whole House "is heartbroken by this news", adding: "I wanted to send our sympathies to his family on behalf of the whole House."

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said he was "heartbroken" by the news and that Jota's death was a "huge loss to our city and the world of football".

(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.

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