Lisa Nandy paid tribute to Jota on behalf of the House of Commons
Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28
Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy has paid tribute to Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota, who has died after a car crash. The 28-year-old was travelling with his brother, Andre Silva, in the Zamora region of Sanabria, Spain when the incident occurred.
It is understood the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout when heading towards Benavente, with Zamora News reporting that emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 1am on Thursday morning. According to the Zamora provincial council, firefighters attended the scene on the A52, known as the Palacios de Sanabria, after the vehicle caught fire.
Paying tribute to the Porto-born player, Ms Nandy, who is Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said in the House of Commons this morning: "I will just take this moment to echo the comments that were by made by the Honourable Gentleman a moment ago about Diogo Jota.
"We just received the heartbreaking news a moment ago, before we came into the chamber, that he tragically lost his life at just 28 years of age.
Lisa Nandy, makes a statement in the House of Commons, London, following the announcement that Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain
Lisa Nandy, makes a statement in the House of Commons, London, following the announcement that Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain
"I think the whole house and my honourable friend in particular is heartbroken by this news. I wanted to send our sympathies to his friends and family, on behalf of the whole house."
Liverpool FC released an official statement this morning following Jota's death. The 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."
Diogo Jota played 49 times for Portugal
Diogo Jota played 49 times for Portugal
BBC News has spoken to the Guardia Civil, who confirmed the deaths of Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
The comments from the police, reported by the BBC, said: "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 blowout 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."
Portuguese forward Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. He played 182 games for the Reds, scoring 65 times.
He won the Premier League last season, as well as winning the FA Cup and League Cup while at Anfield. Jota was capped 49 times by his country, scoring 14 goals.
Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota’s family "all the strength in the world" following the Liverpool forward’s death. A translated version of his message on Instagram said: "Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married.
"To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."
Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said he was "heartbroken" by the news and that Jota’s death was a "huge loss to our city and the world of football."