Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and brother Andre Silva die in road accident
Premier League footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, a professional player for Portuguese side Penafiel, have died after being involved in a car crash in Spain.
Local police confirmed to the incident occurred with Lamborghini car, which was occupied by 28-year-old Jota and Silva, 25, went off the road and suffered an impact, causing the vehicle to catch fire, local authorities confirmed. It is yet to be confirmed which of the two were driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Jota was travelling to the port of Santander to get a ferry back to the United Kingdom ahead of his club Liverpool’s return for preseason. He was advised not to travel by plane after recently undergoing a minor surgery.
Jota married long-time girlfriend Rute Cardoso in his home city of Porto, in northern Portugal, around 300km to the west of Zamora at the end of last month. The couple have three children.
A wake is expected in Porto on Friday before a funeral service on Saturday.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” a club statement on Thursday read.
A joint-statement from sporting director Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, the CEO of football for Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, later revealed plans for tributes over the coming days.
“There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy. We all feel utterly bereft right now,” it read. “In such heartbreaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.
“Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss. This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, Andre Silva. We mourn them both equally. We must respect the family’s privacy and give them the space to grieve in whichever way they need.
“Of course, we his Liverpool family are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. As his teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow. We know our supporters, his national team, former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share in this grief. This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club.
“In the coming days, we as a club will look to honour our beloved number 20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves. We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters, to whom Diogo meant so much.
“For now, we express a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain. We have lost someone truly irreplaceable. Rest in peace, Diogo.”
The Portuguese, who has died aged 28, was a force of nature on the pitch and cherished by his team-mates off it
Penafiel also released a statement on Thursday.
“Futebol Clube Penafiel expresses its deepest sympathy for the tragic death of Andre Silva and his brother Diogo Jota, victims of a road accident in the last few hours,” the club said.
“The loss of two young lives so closely linked to the world of football fills us with pain and dismay. At this difficult time, Penafiel would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared moments of life and passion for sport with Andre and Diogo.
“The club will declare official mourning and pay tribute at upcoming fixtures. Rest in peace.”
A Portugal international since 2019, Jota was capped 49 times and scored 14 goals, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. His final game for Portugal came in the final of that competition last month, coming on as a substitute in the second half of extra-time as they beat Spain on penalties.
Wolves, Jota’s first club in English football, said the forward was “adored by our fans, loved by his team-mates and cherished by everyone who worked with him”. The club added: “You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”
Atletico Madrid said the club were “shocked by the tragic news” of the passing of their former player.
Mnchester United posted: “Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today’s heartbreaking news.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot described “the sense of shock” at the club following “an unimaginable loss”. “All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about,” he said in a statement.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed him, said he was “heartbroken” by the news.
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it,” he said on Instagram. “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.
“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much! All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace — Love.”
Cristiano Ronaldo: Jota’s international teammate, said: “To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”
Jota’s brother, Andre Silva, played for Portuguese second division side Penafiel, from the Porto District.
Silva played for Porto’s youth teams up to under-17 level, before in 2017 joining Pacos de Ferreira, where his elder brother Diogo had played for the first team in the previous two seasons.
In 2021, Silva joined lower division side Gondomar, where he spent two seasons, before moving to Penafiel in July 2023.
Porto posted they were in “shock and deep regret” at the passing of both players while Pacos de Ferreira spoke of the “profound pain” at the events surrounding “two extraordinary people” who “stood out for their humility, responsibility and immense dedication to the club they represented.”
“Diogo Jota became a reference point at our club,” they added. “A player with the attitude of a champion who reached the highest level of professional football. Since his time here he has been an example to all of the players who we welcomed into our academy every year players who dreamed of playing on the global stage one day.
“To all of our fans he was also an example of the desire, commitment and soul that characterise this club. He is one of us, and even the distance never broke the connection. This was his club, he never hid that fact. His name is part of our history. It always will be. And we will do everything to keep his story, his legacy alive.”
