Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were tragically killed in a car crash on July 3, 2025
Diogo Jota died in July, sparking an outpouring of grief from the football community(Image: INSTAGRAM)
View 3 Images
Eight months have elapsed since the tragic deaths of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Jota, 28, and Andre, 25, lost their lives in the early hours of July 3, 2025 when their vehicle veered off the road whilst they were travelling from Spain back to Liverpool.
The Portuguese international leaves behind his wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he had wed just 11 days before the accident, along with their three children. The devastating incident sent shockwaves through the footballing world and beyond, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across the globe.
Liverpool's own memorial to their No. 20 included retiring his shirt number and welcoming a vast display of floral tributes left by supporters outside Anfield.
Last September, head coach Arne Slot additionally revealed that Fenway Sports Group would honour the remainder of the striker's contract in full, paying it to Rute and their children.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
It's calculated that the Reds will distribute approximately £14.4 million. The striker had signed a contract extension with Liverpool in 2022 worth £140,000 per week, with two years remaining on the agreement at the time of his death.
The remarkable gesture underlines just how valued Jota was by Liverpool. The 28-year-old's displays following his arrival from Wolves in 2020 contributed to Liverpool securing the FA Cup, League Cup and the Premier League.
Diogo Jota, Rute Cardoso and their three children
Diogo Jota and his partner Rute Cardoso with their three children(Image: Getty )
View 3 Images
Back in September, Slot said: "The way the fans conducted themselves after that tragedy, how many flowers there were, all the memorials, I can almost get emotional thinking about it. It's unbelievable what our fans have done and our players as well, the way they have conducted themselves in and around the funeral.
"And then we have to train again. There are moments where I feel: 'What must his wife and his children feel now?' It sounds so hard but our life continues.
"People expect from me that I prepare them for ever and that sometimes feels a bit difficult knowing how hard it is for the family and for the parents in the phase they are still going through and will go through for the rest of their lives.
"Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way they've handled this situation by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract is. Maybe people think it's normal, but it is not in football."
A mural in tribute to former Liverpool player Diogo Jota is seen outside the stadium prior to during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Tributes surrounding Diogo Jota's passing included a mural for the Liverpool star near Anfield(Image: getty)
View 3 Images
Liverpool and Wolves are set to face off in the FA Cup fifth round on Friday night. The FA Cup match marks the second encounter between Liverpool and Wolves this week.
Slot's team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Rob Edwards's squad in the Premier League on Tuesday night. Both sets of supporters used the 18th minute of the match to sing in unison about Jota, with the game being the first tie between the teams at Molineux since the brothers' passing.
The Liverpool fans in the away section unveiled their own banner, which stated: 'Obrigado Diogo, forever our number 20'.
Jota spent three years at Molineux from 2017 to 2020, playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier League. He subsequently made 182 appearances for Liverpool, finding the net 65 times.
Buy Blood Red, our monthly Liverpool FC print publication for just £3.50 by clicking here