Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain
Key Events
Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car crash aged just 28. The Premier League footballer lost his life in a crash in Zamora near Spain’s north-west border with Portugal.
Tributes have since been pouring in with the footballing world struck by grief at the heart-breaking news. We're still awaiting an official statement from Liverpool but we will bring that to you as soon as we get it.
Jota started his career with Pacos de Ferreira before moves to Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He spent three years with Wolves ahead of a move to Liverpool in 2020.
Jota had made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals.
Jota's brother, Andre Felipe, also died in the crash, which happened at around 00:30 local time (23:30 BST).
Mirror Football will be on hand to bring you all of the latest updates and tributes on this developing story...
Government break silence
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has paid tribute to Liverpool player Diogo Jota who was killed in a car crash in Spain.
She told the Commons: “We just received the heartbreaking news a moment ago before we came in to the chamber that he lost his life at just 28 years of age.”
Ms Nandy said the whole House “is heartbroken by this news”, adding: “I wanted to send our sympathies to his family on behalf of the whole House.”
Shadow culture minister Saqib Bhatti had earlier said: “As we came into the chamber today there was tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool footballer, at the age of 28. So can I put our condolences to the friends and families and Liverpool fans across the world on that passing.”
Portuguese giants FC Porto have issued a statement in the aftermath of the devastating news.
It read: "FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace."
Jota spent a season on loan with the side in 2016/17.
Jota playing for Porto (Image:Getty Images)
The Spanish Police have issued a statement confirming that Diogo Jota has in fact passed away.
A statement read: "We can now bring you the full statement from the Guardia Civil, given verbally, confirming the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Felipe:
"The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking."
"It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora."
"The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed."
"When asked to confirm the identities of those involved in the accident, the Guardia Civil said: "The player and his brother, Andre Felipe."
Writers pay tribute
A host of Mirror Football writers have shared their tributes to Diogo Jota.
David McDonnell: "Dreadful news about Diogo Jota and his brother. Thoughts with his family, friends and everyone at Liverpool FC."
Daniel Orme: "Absolutely devastating news regarding Jota. RIP."
Mark Jones: "Absolutely numb. What a footballer. RIP."
The Portuguese FA have issued a statement following the news of Jota's passing.
They wrote: "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain. Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the National Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
"On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.
"The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship. We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily."
Prime Minister speaks out
Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on X: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured the name of Portugal, and his brother is unexpected and tragic.
"I leave the family my deepest condolences. It's a sad day for football and for national and international sport.”
It's fair to say that Jota had a stunning time with Liverpool after signing from Wolves in 2020.
He won the Premier League title with the Reds last season, the FA Cup and EFL Cup in 2022, as well as reaching the Champions League final in the same year.
Jota celebrates winning the Premier League (
Image:
Getty Images)
Jota's brother also dies
Jota and his brother Andre Felipe, also died in the crash, which happened at around 00:30 local time (23:30 BST).
The car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking another car.
The car then set on fire, with both men confirmed to have died in the accident.
Heartbreak for family
The heartbreaking news comes just weeks after Jota had gotten married and shared his delight on social media.
He leaves behind three children.
https://x.com/DiogoJota18/status/1938754083881464039
Neville issues tribute
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has shared his instant reaction to the news.
Writing on social media, he said: "That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family."
Portuguese FA president speaks out
The President of the Portuguese FA Pedro Proença has become the first to speak out. He said on social media: "The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning in Spain.
" Much more than just a fantastic player, with almost 50 caps for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his 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 to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players played, respectively.
"The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute's silence this Thursday, before our team's match against Spain, in the Women's European Championship. We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day."
(
Image:
Pedro Fiúza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28 following a road traffic accident, according to a local report in Spain.
Marca say that the Liverpool forward passed away following an accident in Zamora, Spain on Thursday morning.
Another man, aged 26 and reportedly Jota's brother, also died following the accident according to the report.
Tributes have been pouring in for Jota (
Image:
Getty Images)
Hello everyone. We'll start with the breaking news from Spain with it being confirmed that Liverpool star Diogo Jota has died in a devastating car crash in Portugal.
We'll bring you the latest news throighout the day, with tributes already flooding in for the 28-year-old.