Portuguese football is in mourning after tragic news confirmed the deaths of national team forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, in a fiery car crash in Spain.
The tragic accident occurred early Thursday morning, July 3, 2025, on the A-52 highway near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora province. The high-performance vehicle the brothers were traveling in veered off the road and burst into flames. Emergency responders arrived swiftly but confirmed that both men were already dead at the scene.
28-year-old Diogo Jota was a star forward for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team. Just eleven days before the crash, he had tied the knot with his longtime partner Rute Cardoso in a private ceremony surrounded by family and close friends. Together, they shared three children. His brother, André, aged 26, was a rising football talent in the Portuguese second division.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) released an emotional statement:
“We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football. We will do everything to honour their legacy every day.”
Tributes have since poured in from around the world. Liverpool FC, where Jota played since 2020, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling him “a phenomenal player and an even greater person.” The Premier League has also confirmed a minute of silence will be observed in upcoming fixtures, and black armbands will be worn in their honour.
This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the football community and beyond, leaving fans devastated and a nation in tears.
🕊️ Rest in power, Diogo and André.
