Tragic Death of Diogo Jota in Car Crash
Diogo Jota, Liverpool and Portugal star dies in car accident at the age of 28, leaving the football world in deep shock. He and his brother, Andre Silva, who played for Penafiel, lost their lives when the Lamborghini they were travelling in crashed in Zamora, Spain. According to the Guardia Civil, the crash occurred around 00:30 BST in Cernadilla after a tyre burst during an overtaking attempt, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and catch fire, killing both instantly.
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A Heartfelt Statement from Portuguese Football
The Portuguese Football Federation shared its devastation over the tragic deaths of Jota and his brother, recognising Jota as a remarkable player with close to 50 appearances for the national team and as a person whose joy and energy inspired many around him. The federation expressed its deepest sympathies to their families, friends, Liverpool FC, and FC Penafiel, promising to honour the legacy of the two players who were champions on and off the pitch.
A Rising Star with Remarkable Achievements
The accident came just under two weeks after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shares three children. Jota had a decorated career, earning 49 caps and scoring 14 goals for Portugal, while also winning the Nations League twice, with the latest victory just last month. His move to Liverpool in 2020 saw him scoring 65 goals in 182 games, including nine goals last season, helping Liverpool under Arne Slot to win the Premier League title.
Journey Through Football
Before joining Liverpool, Jota’s English football journey began with Wolves in 2017, initially on loan from Atletico Madrid before the move became permanent. He played a key role in helping Wolves secure promotion from the Championship and scored 44 goals in 131 appearances for the club. Jota began his professional career at Pacos de Ferreira in Portugal and moved to Atletico Madrid at 19, though he never featured for the La Liga club, spending time on loan at Porto and then Wolves under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Liverpool’s Message of Grief
Liverpool expressed their deep sorrow at Jota’s tragic passing, describing it as an unimaginable loss for the club and the football community. In their statement, they shared that they are providing full support to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre while requesting privacy for all affected as they navigate this devastating moment. Liverpool’s message highlighted the irreplaceable void Jota’s death has left, assuring that he will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.