JUST IN: Liverpool Forward Diogo Jota and Brother Die in Car Crash in Spain

Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash alongside his younger brother, André Silva, near the Spanish city of Zamora in the early hours of Thursday morning. Jota was 28. Spain’s Civil Guard confirmed the fatal incident to the Associated Press, stating that the vehicle veered off the road and caught fire. No other vehicles were involved, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

The tragedy comes just weeks after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children together.

Liverpool Football Club released a statement expressing deep sorrow at the news: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club will make no further comment at this time and requests that the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates, and staff is respected as they come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool after joining the club from Wolves in 2020. In his five seasons at Anfield, he helped the team win the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups. Prior to his time in England, Jota began his career with Paços de Ferreira in Portugal and had spells with Atlético Madrid and FC Porto.

At the international level, Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals and playing a vital role in the nation’s UEFA Nations League victories in 2019 and again last month.

His brother André Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer, playing for Portuguese second-division side FC Penafiel.

The Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), and Liverpool FC have all confirmed the news. In a statement, the FPF said: “Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.”

The FPF also confirmed it had requested a minute’s silence ahead of Portugal’s Women’s European Championship match against Spain on Thursday. “We have lost two champions,” the statement read. “Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”