Portugal's women's team will pay their respects to tragic compatriot Diogo Jota ahead of their game against Spain at Euro 2025 after Uefa confirmed a minute's silence will be held at matches
14:09, 03 Jul 2025Updated 14:11, 03 Jul 2025
Portugal's women's team will pay tribute to Jota this evening
Portugal's women's team will pay tribute to Jota this evening(Image: Getty Images)
A minute's silence will be observed at the women's Euros matches tonight and tomorrow in tribute to tragic Liverpool star Diogo Jota, Uefa have confirmed.
The Portuguese forward died at just 28 in a horror crash in Spain on Thursday morning, just days after marrying childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso in their hometown of Porto.
Portugal will play their first Women's Euro 2025 match tonight against group B rivals Spain in a match that takes on added poignancy after Jota's heart-breaking death.
Uefa said in a statement: "On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward, along with his brother André Silva.
"Our thoughts are with their family, friends, teammates and all those affected by this heart-breaking loss.
Jota had recently tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart
Jota had recently tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart(Image: INSTAGRAM)
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"A moment of silence will be observed at all of today’s and tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 matches in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva who tragically passed away today."
Jota was a key player at Liverpool and helped the Reds lift the Premier League trophy in May, the club's 20th league title. Heart-warming photos show him with his family and the trophy on the Anfield pitch.
A Premier League spokesman said he was a "champion who will be forever missed" in a tribute issued on Thursday. The statement read: "Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.
Jota was beloved by Liverpool fans
Jota was beloved by Liverpool fans(Image: PA)
"Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heart-breaking time. Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club."
Former Wolves ace Jota was capped 49 times by his nation and the Portuguese Football Federation said he was an "extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates".
In a tribute, the federation said: "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.
Portugal teammate Christiano Ronaldo is among those who have paid tribute
Portugal teammate Christiano Ronaldo is among those who have paid tribute(Image: AP)
“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.”
Jota and brother Andre, 26, were killed after their car ran off the road and caught fire, authorities said.
Horror photos from the scene show the wreckage
Horror photos from the scene show the wreckage of the fatal crash(Image: X/upuknews1)
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The Zamora Provincial Council posted on Facebook that the fatal accident took place on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria, in the Spanish province of Zamora, which borders Portugal, at 12.40am local time.
In a statement, the authority: “A vehicle ran off the road and caught fire, which spread to the surrounding vegetation. The fire was put out by the fire brigade, which worked with health services and the Guardia Civil.
“Unfortunately, medics were only able to confirm the death of two young men, aged 28 and 26. From the Zamora Provincial Council and the Provincial Consortium we express our condolences to the families of the victims and thank all those involved for their work.”