Football World Mourns Liverpool Star Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva in Tragic Car Accident
A devastating loss has struck the world of football with the untimely deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, in a car accident in Spain on Thursday. Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, died when their vehicle left the road and caught fire in Zamora, northwest Spain.
The tragedy occurred less than two weeks after Jota married his partner, Cardoso Rute, with whom he shared three children. The news has prompted an outpouring of grief from across the sporting world.
Details of the Accident
The accident took place around 12:30 a.m. local time on the A-52 road. According to the country’s civil guard, the incident was caused by a tire failure during an overtaking maneuver. The vehicle, reportedly a Lamborghini, veered off the road and subsequently ignited.
Authorities identified the remains through documentation recovered at the scene and vehicle registration, CNN Portugal reported. Forensic tests conducted at a Zamora morgue further confirmed the identities of the brothers. The investigation is currently focused on the possibility of speeding as a contributing factor, a source within the Government Subdelegation in Zamora stated.
The remains were transferred to Puebla de Sanabria to facilitate the process of repatriation to Portugal, with the player’s family present to complete the necessary administrative procedures, CNN Portugal reported.
A Rising Star on and Off the Pitch
Diogo Jota quickly became a fan favorite during his five years with Liverpool, scoring a total of 65 goals. He played a key role in the team’s Premier League triumph just over two months ago, appearing in 26 of 38 league games and contributing six goals and four assists. Beyond the Premier League, Jota secured an FA Cup and two EFL Cups with the club. He was also a vital member of the Portugal national team, celebrating victory in the Nations League in both 2019 and June of this year.
His brother, André Silva, was a rising talent in Portuguese football, playing for Futebol Clube in Penafiel in the Portuguese League 2. Throughout his career, he amassed 12 goals and 10 assists in 105 appearances across both senior and youth levels.
Outpouring of Grief and Remembrance
Tributes have flooded in from across the globe. Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his shock and sorrow, stating that the loss “makes no sense.” Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota in 2020, extended his “prayers, thoughts and power” to the family.
Current Liverpool coach Arne Slot shared his condolences, saying, “When the time comes, we will celebrate Jota, we will remember his goals and sing his song. At the moment, we will remind him as a unique human being and we will cry his loss. He will never be forgotten.”
The outpouring of grief extended beyond the football world, with NBA star LeBron James and Prince William of the United Kingdom also expressing their sadness.
Funeral Arrangements
A wake for Jota and André Silva began this Friday morning at the Igreja Martiz de Gondomar in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto. The church will open its doors to the public this Friday afternoon. The funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. local time (5:00 a.m. ET).
The sudden and tragic loss of Diogo Jota and André Silva serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew and admired them.
The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
