The football community worldwide is in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, early this morning. The accident occurred around 00:30 local time (00:30 CAT) when the Lamborghini they were in, traveling from Portugal to Santander to catch a ferry to England, left the road and caught fire after a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, according to Spain’s Guardia Civil.
Jota, 28, had recently undergone minor surgery and was advised by doctors not to fly, prompting his road trip to catch a ferry for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The tragedy comes less than two weeks after his wedding to long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.

Widespread tributes pour in
The news has sent shockwaves across the football world, with an outpouring of tributes from teammates, former managers, clubs, and even royalty.
Liverpool FC expressed their devastation, calling it an “unimaginable loss.” Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shared his heartbreak on Instagram, stating, “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it! Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father. We will miss you so much.”
Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo reacted with profound sadness, saying, “it doesn’t make sense.” Jota’s international teammates also shared their grief. Bruno Fernandes posted, “Friend, colleague, and companion of a thousand battles. It’s hard to understand how someone can leave so soon.” Ruben Neves added, “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”



A beloved player and person
Tributes have highlighted Jota’s impact both on and off the pitch.
Sir Kenny Dalglish, former Liverpool player and manager, emphasized the profound human loss: “Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.”
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who lived near Jota, described him as “just a lovely person.” Warnock recalled Jota’s “bubbly character” and how he was “always happy to give up his time… very respectful but also a very charismatic character.”
Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter, remembered Jota as “a player who made things happen.” He noted Jota’s versatility as a forward and his “tireless” work ethic, which made him “extremely popular, both with his team-mates and also with the supporters, who adored him.”
Grief extends beyond Liverpool
Jota’s former club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, also shared their sorrow. Fans remembered his crucial contributions, like his hat-trick against Leicester City in 2019. Charlotte, 21, a Wolves fan, said, “I’m absolutely devastated, he was one of my favourite players when he played for us. I’ll never forget that winning goal against Leicester.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales offered their condolences, stating on X: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.”
In Portugal, Penafiel FC, André Silva’s club, expressed their profound sorrow, stating, “The loss of two such young lives fills us with pain and dismay.”

Community in shock
The Spanish community in Zamora, a rural province, is in shock as the world’s media has descended upon the area. Local officials are confirming details of the crash, and psychological assistance teams have been deployed to support the grieving family, who have traveled from Portugal. Authorities are conducting DNA tests for formal identification of the bodies.

At Anfield, Liverpool’s home stadium, hundreds of fans, including supporters of rival clubs like Everton and Manchester United, have gathered to lay flowers and pay their respects. The scene outside the stadium is one of stunned grief for a player who, while not known personally by many, was deeply loved.
UEFA announced that a moment of silence will be held during today’s Women’s Euro 2025 match between Spain and Portugal as the football world collectively mourns this immense loss.