Portuguese international Diogo Jota, who played as a forward for Liverpool FC and the national team, has died in a car crash. The 28-year-old footballer was traveling with his younger brother André Teixeira da Silva, who also lost his life in the crash. alongside his younger brother André Teixeira da Silva. The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, on the A-52 motorway near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora, Spain.
The incident occurred along the A-52 motorway near Palacios de Sanabria, a region in northwestern Spain. According to reports from Spanish media and emergency services, the two brothers were traveling in a Lamborghini when a tyre blowout occurred. The vehicle veered off the road at high speed, struck a barrier, and caught fire moments later. By the time local firefighters arrived at the scene, both occupants had already died.
Jota had recently married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, barely two weeks before the tragedy. The couple had been raising their three young children together and were believed to be on holiday in Spain before Liverpool’s preseason activities resumed.
Jota was part of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He also played for Portugal’s national team and helped it win the Nations League last month in an extraordinary win over rivals Spain on penalties.
His younger brother André was also a professional footballer, playing for Penafiel, a club in Portugal’s second division. Though not as widely known as Diogo, André was praised by his coaches for his discipline and drive.
Social media has been flooded with tributes from teammates, football legends, and fans. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand called the news “absolutely heartbreaking.” Piers Morgan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Diogo Jota was one of the brightest lights in football. This is a tragic loss.”
