From Premier League to Portugal: Soccer pays emotional tribute after tragic loss of Liverpool’s Diogo Jota
The world of soccer has been left reeling after the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota, Liverpool forward and Portuguese international, who died in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. He was 28 years old. Tragically, his younger brother, Andre Silva, aged 26, also lost his life in the accident.
The fatal incident occurred at 00:30 GMT+1 near Cernadilla, in the Zamora province, on the A-52 motorway. According to an official statement from the Spanish Guardia Civil, the brothers were driving a Lamborghini when the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, veered off the road, and burst into flames. Emergency services were unable to save either man, who passed away at the scene.
The news has shocked not only Liverpool fans but the entire soccer community. Only ten days earlier, Jota had married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in a private ceremony in Portugal, surrounded by close friends and family. The couple shared three children: Denis, born in 2021, Duarte in 2023, and a newborn baby girl this year.
Soccer pays tribute
Liverpool FC released an emotional statement on Thursday morning: “Liverpool Soccer Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed that the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.”
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
Tributes have poured in from across the soccer world. Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Soccer Federation (FPF), called Jota: “Much more than a fantastic player… an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy.”
A Federação Portuguesa de Futebol e todo o Futebol português estão completamente devastados com a morte de Diogo Jota e do seu irmão André Silva, esta madrugada, em Espanha.
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2025
Muito mais do que o fantástico jogador, com quase 50 internacionalizações pela Seleção Nacional A, Diogo… pic.twitter.com/EN901fH6FG
A minute’s silence will be observed before Portugal’s Women’s Euro qualifier against Spain on Thursday evening.
Career remembered
Jota began his career at Pacos de Ferreira before being signed by Atletico Madrid in 2016. He spent a season on loan at Porto, where he and Andre Silva—then a youth player—shared formative years. He truly made his mark at Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring 44 goals for the club and helping them to Premier League promotion under Nuno Espirito Santo.
In 2020, Liverpool paid $52.7 million to secure Jota’s services. He went on to make 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He played a key role in the Reds’ 2022 Premier League title, as well as their FA Cup and League Cup triumphs.
On the international stage, Jota made 49 appearances for Portugal, scoring 14 goals, and was part of the squads that won two UEFA Nations League titles, the second coming just last month.
Loss beyond soccer
Beyond the pitch, Jota was known for his humility, generosity, and love for his family. His passing, along with that of his brother Andre—who was playing for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division—has left a deep void in both Portuguese and European soccer.
Porto shared a heartfelt tribute: “It is with shock and deep sorrow that we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace.”
O Futebol Clube do Porto está de luto.
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) July 3, 2025
É com choque e profundo pesar que enviamos as sentidas condolências à família e amigos do Diogo Jota e irmão André Silva, que também foi nosso atleta nos escalões de formação.
Descansem em paz.#FCPorto pic.twitter.com/BXlR8v7y7Z
Portuguese soccer, in the words of Pedro Proenca, has lost “two champions.”
El Atlético de Madrid está conmocionado por la trágica noticia del fallecimiento de Diogo Jota, ex jugador del club, y su hermano André.
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) July 3, 2025
Enviamos nuestro más sincero pésame a su familia y seres queridos.
Descansen en paz. pic.twitter.com/MQaelutaFh
On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward, along with his brother André Silva.
— UEFA (@UEFA) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts are with their family, friends, teammates and all those affected… pic.twitter.com/kYCJiZMcX0
Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion… pic.twitter.com/KG4coUHY1P
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 3, 2025
Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to learn about the devastating news regarding the passing of Diogo Jota.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 3, 2025
We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club at this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Diogo. pic.twitter.com/gDZChUlRw0
Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all at Liverpool Football Club at this incredibly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/JavslTjK7l
Everyone at Chelsea FC is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts go out to their family, friends and all at Liverpool FC at this incredibly difficult time. ???? pic.twitter.com/MSKcRHLmMk
AC Milan is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Our heartfelt condolences go out to their family, friends, and all who are mourning. May they rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/iodVQUz5k3
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 3, 2025
Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/JD5bT96fQj
— Everton (@Everton) July 3, 2025
Everyone at Swansea City is devastated to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts are with their family, friends and respective clubs at this incredibly sad time ???????? pic.twitter.com/yshdf8Rotw
FC Barcelona would like to express their sincerest condolences regarding the loss of Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota and his brother André. May they rest in peace.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 3, 2025
The thoughts of everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion are with the friends and family of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva following the heartbreaking news of their passing. pic.twitter.com/zzW91iB8kW
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 3, 2025
O mundo do futebol ficou mais pobre.
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) July 3, 2025
O Sporting CP manifesta o seu pesar pelo falecimento do internacional português Diogo Jota e do seu irmão André Silva.
As mais sentidas condolências a toda a família nesta hora difícil. pic.twitter.com/0zTHryk5rq
The thoughts of everybody at Burnley Football Club are with the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, following the heartbreaking news of their passing ???? pic.twitter.com/Gi3cQinXvC
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 3, 2025
We are extremely saddened to hear the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) July 3, 2025
Everyone at Galatasaray SK extends their condolences to his family, friends and the whole club of @LFC ???? pic.twitter.com/wt1NeYofqI
Everyone at Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) July 3, 2025
Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to their families, loved ones, and all at Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel during this incredibly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/zpBH4RFFaJ
We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news that reached us this morning. Our thoughts, love, and strength go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Diogo Jota and André Silva during this incredibly difficult time. ???? pic.twitter.com/dCf3kmrCJP
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) July 3, 2025
We are deeply saddened to learn the heartbreaking news of Diogo Jota's passing.
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) July 3, 2025
Our heartfelt condolences are with Diogo’s young family, friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club during this incredibly difficult time.
Rest in peace, Diogo. ❤️ https://t.co/KCWk1kYlRH pic.twitter.com/LdrJlqivFe
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota.
— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, teammates and everyone at @LFC during this incredibly difficult time.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/7DICm3aXad
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.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 3, 2025
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota, a respected member of the football community.
— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) July 3, 2025
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and @LFC.
Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/tVSJh944tS
Croatian Football Federation would like to express the deepest condolences to the family of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, and the entire football families of @selecaoportugal and @LFC, following this tragic loss. ????️
— HNS (@HNS_CFF) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ???? pic.twitter.com/Asc7c00yIs
The thoughts of everyone at Watford FC are with Diogo Jota’s family, friends and everyone at Liverpool FC at this incredibly difficult time ???? pic.twitter.com/U5KfvVfpsT
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) July 3, 2025
We're deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota.
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 3, 2025
Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and teammates during this tragic time. https://t.co/5pNeEmUBFa pic.twitter.com/3dQsqO68gN
On behalf of President Aurelio De Laurentiis, Antonio Conte, club management, the coaching staff and players, we would like to express our deep sadness at learning of Diogo Jota's sudden passing. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone connected to Liverpool.
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) July 3, 2025