Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward, was killed in a horrific car crash alongside his brother, with figures from across the world of sport left in mourning
10:10, 03 Jul 2025Updated 10:18, 03 Jul 2025
(Image: REUTERS)
Figures from across the sporting world have paid tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota after he was killed in a car crash.
The 28-year-old striker and his brother Andre, a 26-year-old professional footballer from Penafiel, both died in the incident in the Spanish province of Zamora on Thursday morning. Jota, a dad-of-three who married his wife Rute Cardoso just 10 days ago, was killed when the Lamborghini he was traveling in with his brother reportedly went off the road, causing a fatal fire.
In a statement the Portuguese Football Federation said: "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain."
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."
Darts superstar Stephen Bunting, a huge Reds fan from Liverpool, posted a picture of himself with Jota on X and said: "Such sad news I’m hearing. RIP Diogo Jota. What a lovely person. Such a sad day for the football world and beyond. Only just married too. My heart goes out to the family and we are all sending our prayers."
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The World Snooker Tour also took to X to share a photo of Jota at Sheffield's Crucible. They said: "We are devastated today to hear the news that Diogo Jota has tragically passed away.
"Diogo loved snooker and we were thrilled to welcome him to the Crucible where he met many of our staff and players. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family and friends."
Diogo Jota recently got married to Rute Cardoso
Diogo Jota recently got married to Rute Cardoso(Image: Instagram/rutecfcardoso14)
Football legend and pundit Chris Kamara wrote: "Oh no! What a player & a lovely man as well. This is horrific news. Thoughts are with all his family friends and football fans everywhere who all admired Diogo."
Liverpool icon and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher posted on Instagram : "Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute & their three kids."
His former club Porto shared: "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."
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