In a heartbreaking turn of events that has sent shockwaves across the world of football and beyond, Portuguese international and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28. The gifted player lost his life in a devastating car accident on a highway in northern Spain, just two weeks after marrying his sweetheart, Rute Cardoso.
Jota, who had only recently declared himself “the luckiest man in the world” following his wedding, was travelling with his younger brother, Andre Silva, 26, when the crash occurred. Andre, also a footballer, perished alongside his brother in the incident.
The accident took place on the A-52 motorway in the Zamora province, a busy route frequently used by those travelling between northern Portugal and Spain. According to emergency responders, the brothers were in Jota’s high-performance Lamborghini, which is believed to have suffered a blown tire while overtaking another vehicle. The supercar veered off the road, crashed violently, and then burst into flames.
Eyewitnesses called Spain’s 1-1-2 emergency services immediately after witnessing the horrific crash. A statement from emergency officials in Castilla y León detailed the response:
“Several calls were received reporting a vehicle accident at Km 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have gone off the road and was engulfed in flames.”
Authorities deployed a full response team, including traffic police, firefighters, and a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) from the nearby Mombuey Health Center. Tragically, both Diogo and Andre were declared dead at the scene.
Only a fortnight ago, Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso exchanged vows in a romantic ceremony in Porto, surrounded by friends, family, and fellow footballers. The couple, who shared three children, were known for their deep bond that stretched back to their teenage years.
In an interview published just yesterday, Jota spoke glowingly about his personal happiness, calling himself “the luckiest man in the world.” The timing of the tragic accident makes the loss all the more painful.
Confirmation of Jota’s death was issued by Pedro Proença, President of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), who expressed profound sorrow on behalf of the entire football community.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva this morning in Spain.
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 caps for the national team, Diogo was an extraordinary human being—joyful, humble, and deeply respected. His loss is immeasurable.”
In his tribute, Proença also extended condolences to Liverpool FC, FC Penafiel (Andre’s former club), and the Jota family. He revealed that the FPF had requested a minute’s silence to be observed before Portugal’s Women’s Euro Championship match against Spain as a mark of respect.
“The disappearance of Diogo and Andre represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football. We will strive every day to honor their legacy.”