Manchester United have paid respect to Liverpool star Diogo Jota following his tragic deathplaceholder image
Manchester United have paid respect to Liverpool star Diogo Jota following his tragic death | Getty Images
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has tragically passed away aged 28.
Jota and his brother Andre, who is a professional footballer at Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, died in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning near Zamora, in northwestern Spain.
The Guardia Civil in Zamora told Sky Sports News the accident happened at 12.30am.A statement read: "A vehicle left the road and everything indicates a tyre burst while overtaking," it said in a statement.
"As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed. Pending the completion of forensic tests, one of the deceased has been identified as Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, and his brother, Andre Felipe."
The 28-year-old had only just married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 as he shared images of their ceremony on social media last week. The couple had three children together. Their first child was born in 2021 as they welcomed their third baby in November.
Liverpool release Diogo Jota statement
Jota first moved to the Premier League to join Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018 before two years later completing a £45million transfer to Liverpool.
The Portuguese international played 182 times for the Reds, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He helped the club lift the Premier League title last season and was also part of the side that won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in 2022.
A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Newcastle United pay tribute to Diogo Jota
Newcastle United have joined the football world in paying tribute to Jota.
“We are deeply saddened to learn the heartbreaking news of Diogo Jota's passing,” Newcastle wrote on X. “Our heartfelt condolences are with Diogo’s young family, friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Diogo.
Meanwhile, Newcastle legend Alan Shearer wrote 'Heartbreaking' with a broken heart emoji while midfielder Sandro Tonali posted a praying emoji. Magpies’ co-owner Jamie Reuben posted: "This is heartbreaking. My thoughts to his family and everyone connected to him at Liverpool FC."
Portugal left ‘utterly devastated’ by Diogo Jota’s passing
Capped 49 times by Portugal, the country’s football federation 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 his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a role model in his community.
“The Portuguese Football Federation expresses its 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 played.
“The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute’s 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 irreplaceable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
The FPF has requested that UEFA observe a minute's silence before Portugal's Women's Euros game against Spain on Thursday.
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