Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28 after being involved in a road accident in Zamora, Spain, just days after his wedding
Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28
Liverpool star Diogo Jota has heartbreakingly left behind three children following his tragic death. The Portuguese footballer died following a a road traffic accident in Spain on Thursday morning.
Diogo, 28, married his wife Rute Cardoso in June 2025, and they had three children together—a son called Dinis, born in 2021, a daughter, born in 2023, and a second daughter, born in 2024. Speaking about becoming a dad two years ago, the footballer chatted to one of the midwives at Liverpool Women's Hospital along with his teammate, Joe Gomez. Admitting it was a "bit of a shock" when he first found out he was going to become a dad, he said in their video on Facebook: "It was a bit of a shock when I first found out, but when the baby was put in my arms for the first time... you always think about that moment but when it actually happens, you can't describe the feeling."
Laughing, he continued: "One of the midwives offered for me to cut the cord, but I couldn't do it, I'm too sensitive."
Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota opened up about becoming a young dad two years ago
When asked for advice for any new dads, Diogo joked, "I would say speak to Joe because he's more experienced." He then, heartbreakingly, added: "But I would say patience is key."
It was tragically confirmed by Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, that both Diogo and his brother Andre died in the crash today. In a statement, he shared: "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.
"Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations 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."
Diogo Jota
The Liverpool star has tragically left behind three children
Just hours before his tragic death, the star's wife Rute posted a video of the pair's recent nuptials, which she heartbreakingly captioned: "A day we will never forget".
Rute also praised her husband in a now tragic post on Instagram in October 2019, sharing an adorable image of the pair with the caption: "Seven years ago two kids, 15 and 16 years old, began their story. Two friends, same class, that never even dreamed what the future could bring! Who would’ve thought that it would turn out like this.. who would’ve thought that seven years later we would have lived in three different countries, visited ten countries and we still are the same two kids! Happy! We know highs and lows but we keep pushing and overcoming our own goals, holding each other’s hand.
"We grew up together and we’ll grow old together too! Seven years ago we said it would be until death tore us apart. Today I say not even death can do that."