Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has passed away in a car crash at the age of 28.

Jota had been travelling in a car in northern Spain alongside his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, who also lost his life in the tragic accident.

The Portuguese married the mother of his three children Rute Cardoso just two weeks ago.

'The 1-1-2 Castilla y Lenn operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire,' read a statement from the emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region.

"1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.

"From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene."

Jota leaves behind his wife and three children

Jota started his professional career with Pacos de Ferreira in 2014 before making the move to Atletico Madrid, spending time out on loan with Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers during his time in the Spanish capital.

The forward moved to Wolves on a permanent basis in 2018, and his excellent form earned him a move to Liverpool, with the Reds bringing him to Anfield in the summer of 2020.

Jota scored 65 goals and registered 26 assists in 182 appearances for Liverpool, adding to the 44 goals and 19 assists that he managed in 131 fixtures for Wolves.

Last season, the attacker had a record of nine goals and four assists in 37 matches for Liverpool, while he represented Portugal on 49 occasions, scoring 14 goals and registering 12 assists.

Firefighters, paramedics and police allegedly rushed to the incident, which occurred just after midnight on Thursday morning, according to local reports in Spain, with the car, said to be a Lamborghini, catching on fire.

A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol e todo o Futebol português estão completamente devastados com a morte de Diogo Jota e do seu irmão André Silva, esta madrugada, em Espanha.

Muito mais do que o fantástico jogador, com quase 50 internacionalizações pela Seleção Nacional A, Diogo… pic.twitter.com/yR9TII2h3K

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2025

Portuguese Football Federation releases statement

“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, this morning, in Spain," read a statement.

“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 caps for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

“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.”

Jota helped Liverpool win the 2024-25 Premier League title and had again been set to represent the Reds during the 2025-26 campaign.

Written by
Matt Law