‘Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football’
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Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain aged 28.
The Spanish civil guard said he was found dead alongside his brother Andre Silva, after their car went off a road near the city of Zamora.
The Portuguese Football Federation said it was “devastated” to learn of the pair’s deaths – adding: “Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.”
Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 (Bradley Collyer/PA)
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)
Jota was part of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.
In a statement, the Portuguese national team said: “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.”
In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.
“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.
“On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre, 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.”
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Jota married his long term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 in Portugal.
The pair got together in 2013, it has been reported, and have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November.
Jota frequently shared pictures of him and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife has posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland.
They also have three pet beagles.
On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: “A day we will never forget.”