The world of football is in mourning following the sudden death of Portuguese international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain during the early hours of Thursday.
The fatal accident occurred shortly after midnight on the A-52 motorway near the town of Cernadilla in the Zamora province, northwestern Spain. Spanish authorities say Jota was traveling with his younger brother, André Silva, when their vehicle veered off the road, possibly due to a tyre blowout, and caught fire. Both occupants died at the scene.
Local emergency services responded swiftly to the incident but were unable to save either man. The vehicle was reportedly found engulfed in flames when first responders arrived. Investigations are ongoing, but early reports suggest a mechanical fault may have triggered the crash.
Jota’s death comes less than two weeks after he married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in a private ceremony surrounded by family and close friends. The couple shared three young children, deepening the heartbreak for those closest to him.
News of his passing has stunned fans, teammates, and footballing institutions across the globe. Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing “deep devastation,” describing Jota as “not only an outstanding footballer but also a much-loved teammate and friend.”
