Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota has sadly passed away in a car accident on the A-52 province in Zamora, alongside his 26-year-old brother, while enjoying some downtime in the off-season. As reported by Marca, Jota was in a vehicle with his brother Andre – who was a footballer for Penafiel himself – before the fatal accident happened just after half past twelve on Thursday night.
The report claimed that the operations room of 1-1-2 Castilla y León received several calls alerting them about the accident. The car had been left in the road and on fire. The Traffic Civil Guard, the Fire Brigade of the Provincial Council of Zamora, and the Emergency Coordination Centre (CCU) of Health Emergencies – Sacyl were dispatched to the scene.
Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Dies In Fatal Car Accident
The news comes just two weeks after he married his long-term girlfriend
Adding to that, the Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care medical staff (MAP) of the Mombuey health centre were sent, who confirmed the death of the two young people on site. In a statement, per The Sun, the emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region said:
“The 112 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire.”
“112 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident. From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”
As reported by BBC Sport, the car, a Lamborghini, left the road in Zamora due to a tyre blow out while attempting to overtake another car. As a result, the car set on fire. The terribly tragic news of Jota’s death comes just two weeks after the Portuguese married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto. The two shared snaps of their wedding – in front of the altar with their three children – online to celebrate the coming together of love. The caption read: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
Jota joined the Reds from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2020, and went on to make 182 appearances, all while winning one Premier League title in the process. In that timeframe, the 28-year-old scored 65 goals and notched a further 26 assists.
Before moving to the Premier League, Jota – who was born and raised in Porto – rose through the ranks of Gondomar before being spotted by Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2016. He joined Porto on loan before Wolves came calling in 2017. Jota went on to become a key member of Liverpool’s success under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.
Descansa em paz, Diogo Jota. pic.twitter.com/kArj5eoNar
— B24 (@B24PT) July 3, 2025
Portugal FA and Porto Release Statements
Diogo Jota played 38 times for the Portuguese side
O Futebol Clube do Porto está de luto.
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) July 3, 2025
É com choque e profundo pesar que enviamos as sentidas condolências à família e amigos do Diogo Jota e irmão André Silva, que também foi nosso atleta nos escalões de formação.
Descansem em paz.#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/BXlR8v7y7Z
In the wake of the gut-wrenching news, FC Porto – a club Diogo played 38 times, while Andre represented them at youth level – have released a statement to commemorate the brothers. In utter shock, the Portuguese club sent their deepest condolences to their family, friends and all those affected by the news.
“FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace.”
The Portuguese Football Federation, too, put out a statement. “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of the Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain,” it began, translated into English.
“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the National Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and reference within his own community. On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.”
They also added that they’ve already requested that – ahead of Portugal Women’s European Championships clash with Spain on Thursday – a minutes’ silence is observed by those in the stadium and at home. “We have lost two champions,” they concluded. “The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva respresnets irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily.”
