A tragic loss has struck the football world: Diogo Jota, the star forward of Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, has died in a fatal car accident. Spanish outlet Marca first reported the devastating news on the morning of July 3.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. local time on the 65th kilometer of the A-52 highway in the province of Zamora, western Spai - over 200 kilometers from Madrid. This stretch of road is a major route for drivers leaving northern Portugal.
According to reports by Daily Mail, the tire of the Lamborghini Jota was driving burst during an overtaking maneuver. Eyewitnesses say the car veered off the road and caught fire. Jota was unable to escape.
Diogo’s younger brother, André Silva - who played for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel - was also in the car. Both brothers perished at the scene.
As reported by AS, the fire was so intense that the bodies were initially unidentifiable. The vehicle’s registration was the only way authorities confirmed the victims’ identities.
Below is the video after the accident.
Diogo Jota, accompanied by his brother André Silva, was travelling to the north of Spain on Wednesday night with the aim of catching a ferry to England, where he would start pre-season training with Liverpool on Tuesday 8th of this month.
The reason for his decision was due to a minor operation he had at the end of last season, while still on British soil, and he had been advised not to travel by plane. So, on his return from England for the holidays, the Portuguese international had already travelled by plane and was now going to do the same.
His brother, a Penafiel player, was going to join Diogo Jota and then return to Portugal.
Diogo Jota’s Wife and Children
Jota leaves behind his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children: two sons (born in 2021 and 2023) and a daughter born in July 2024. The couple had known each other since childhood and dated for over a decade before marrying - just 10 days before the tragic accident.
His final social media post was a touching video from their wedding, showing every moment of their special day—from the bride’s morning preparations to joyful dancing at the reception. He captioned it: “A day we’ll never forget.” Looking back now, the video is unbearably bittersweet.
A Strong Family Bond
Diogo and Rute spent all their free time together - walking in parks with the kids, going to the cinema and restaurants, and traveling the world. They were rarely seen apart.
Their relationship was a model of harmony. Rute stood by Diogo through his toughest career moments, while he supported her through pregnancies and parenting. Their family photos and joyful moments painted a picture of genuine happiness.
In May 2020, when Liverpool won the Premier League, Rute brought the children to Anfield to share the moment with her husband. A family photo from that day, with the kids holding the trophy and Rute cradling their baby daughter, became iconic among Liverpool fans.
Career and Achievements
Diogo Jota was 28 years old at the time of his death. He began his professional career at Paços de Ferreira (2014–2016), then moved to Atlético Madrid (2016–2018). He played on loan for FC Porto (2016–2017) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (2017–2018), joining Wolves permanently in 2018 and later transferring to Liverpool in 2020 for a reported fee of £41–45 million.
A dynamic winger, Jota quickly became one of the Premier League’s standout talents. With Liverpool, he won four major trophies, including the 2021 Premier League title.
On the international stage, he got 46 games for Portugal and scored 14 goals. Jota was part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League in both 2019 and 2025.
One of his most memorable career highlights came in 2020, when he scored a hat-trick against Atalanta in the Champions League - a feat only achieved by two other Portuguese players before him: Cristiano Ronaldo and Rui Pedro. Incidentally, Jota made his debut for the national team as a substitute for Ronaldo.
Official Reactions and National Mourning
Pedro Proença, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, confirmed the tragic news and expressed his condolences:
The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva this morning in Spain. Diogo Jota was not only a phenomenal player but also an extraordinary person, respected by teammates and rivals alike. On behalf of the Federation, I extend my deepest sympathies to their families, to Liverpool, and to Penafiel.
Clubs and institutions across Europe, including FC Porto and the Portuguese national team, have expressed their grief. Commemorative events are being planned in honor of Jota and his brother.
The Portuguese Football Federation has formally requested that UEFA hold a minute of silence before the women’s Euro 2025 match between Portugal and Spain this Thursday.
A Life Cut Tragically Short
The tragedy of Diogo Jota’s death is compounded by the timing - just 10 days after marrying his childhood sweetheart and with three young children left behind. His career was still at its peak, and his personal life was full of joy.
This immense loss has sent shockwaves through the football community and beyond. Diogo Jota will be remembered not only for his brilliance on the field but also for the love and light he brought to those around him.
Rest in peace, Diogo and André.
