Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, brother die in car crash - Spanish Civil Guard

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, brother die in car crash - Spanish Civil Guard

Diogo Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool in five years at the club. Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, were killed in a car crash near Zamora, Spain, police said Thursday.

Liverpool FC, the Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) also confirmed the incident.

The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road on an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora. Authorities said the car -- a Lamborghini, according to police -- was in flames.

Firefighters were called in as the fire spread to nearby vegetation, authorities said.

Police were investigating the causes of the crash, which happened past midnight local time. They said there were no other vehicles involved. The bodies were undergoing forensic analysis.

It wasn't clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the crash happened because of a blown tire.

Jota, who was 28, and his brother, who was 25, were both Portuguese players and the only ones in the car, police said.

Jota's death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso and in a social media post wrote, "Yes to forever." They had three children, the youngest born last year.

A Civil Guard spokesperson told ESPN that they believe the driver lost control after a tire blew out.

The Spanish Civil Guard is one of the two national law enforcement agencies of Spain. They are a separate organisation to the police.

The Provincial Zamora Council, a local government body who first reported the accident, said that the car caught fire.

Jota, whose full name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, made 182 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Wolves in 2020. He lifted the Premier League title in May, having previously won the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups in his five years at the club.

Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

Tributes were laid at Anfield for Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images

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

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

"We will continue to provide them with our full support."

UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected "by this heartbreaking loss." It said a moment of silence will be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday.

Jota began his career at Portuguese side Paços de Ferreira and also enjoyed spells at Atlético Madrid and FC Porto.

Jota also won 49 international caps for Portugal, during which he won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and again last month, scoring 14 goals.

The FPF said in a statement: "The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva in Spain this morning.

Diogo Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in a ceremony on June 22. Instagram / @diogoj_18

"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. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.

"The Portuguese Football Federation would like to offer the deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and André, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players.

"The Portuguese Football Federation has asked UEFA to hold a minute's silence ahead of our national team's match against Spain in the Women's European Championship on Thursday.

"We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day."

The Liga Portugal and Atlético Madrid also paid tribute to the two players.

Jota's Portugal teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, sent his condolences to the brothers' family.

"It doesn't make sense. We were just together with the national team, you had just gotten married," Ronaldo said in a post on social media.

"To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you."

Tributes from around the sporting world have been paid to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota after the Portugal international and his brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday morning.

The player's death at the age of 28 was confirmed by Liverpool Football Club, the Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), with the Civil Guard informing the Associated Press of the incident.

Jota, whose death comes just weeks after he married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, lifted the Premier League title with his teammates on May 25. He won four major honours during his time at the club.

In a statement, the club said they were "devastated" by Jota's passing and requested "the privacy of Diogo and André's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss."

Following news of his death, fans began leaving flowers and messages in Diogo Jota's memory at Anfield. Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images

Liverpool City Council has announced the flag at Liverpool town hall has been lowered to half mast following the death of Jota and his brother.

"Our thoughts are with their family and friends, and everyone associated with Liverpool FC," the council said in a post on X.

Jota's Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo sent his condolences to the brothers' family.

"It doesn't make sense. We were just together with the national team, you had just gotten married," Ronaldo said in a post on social media.

"To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you."

Diogo Jota's death has prompted an outpouring of grief on Merseyside. Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said in a post on X: "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."

Carragher's punditry colleague Gary Neville said: "That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family."

Premier League clubs expressed their commiserations, including Liverpool's bitter rivals Manchester United.

"Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, André, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today's heartbreaking news," the club said in a post on social media.

Diogo Jota played a crucial role as Liverpool won the Premier League title last season. Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The English Football Association said it was devastated to learn of Jota's passing and the Premier League said that "football has lost a champion who will be forever missed."

UEFA has announced that a moment of silence will be observed at all of Thursday and Friday's Women's Euro 2025 matches in memory of the Jota and his brother.

Tributes were also paid to Jota from outside the world of football with Rafael Nadal expressing his sorrow at the "terribly sad and painful news" in a post on X.

Baskeball legend LeBron James, whose stake in Fenway Sports Group makes him a part owner of Liverpool, said: "My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!!"