Liverpool football star Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car crash aged 28, just days after marrying his childhood sweetheart.
According to local reports, the Portuguese forward died in a car crash in Zamora, close to Spain's north-west border with Portugal.
© Getty ImagesSpanish news agency EFE reports that his brother, Andre, was also killed in the crash early on Thursday morning in a traffic accident on the Rias Bajas Highway.
It is not clear at this stage who was driving the vehicle. Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
© UEFA via Getty ImagesHis death was confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation. Read the statement below:
Diogo wed his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso in Porto on 22 June this year. To mark the special occasion, the football star shared a plethora of beautiful images, including a wholesome picture of the couple posing with their three children.
At the time, he wrote in his caption June: "22, 2025, yes to forever." On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: "A day we will never forget."
The couple had been together since 2012, with the Liverpool star popping the question in July 2022.
Jota was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for £40million. Beyond this, he won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool, the Championship title with Wolves in 2018 and was a two-time winner of the Uefa Nations League with Portugal.
Moving tributes
Taking to social media, Portugal's prime minister, Luís Montenegro, wrote: "The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal's name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports."
Jota's former team-mate, Ruben Neves, wrote: "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!"
FC Porto added: "FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace."
Liverpool Football Club said they are "devastated" by the death of Jota. In a statement, the club said: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed 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. We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Also paying tribute was Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who wrote on Instagram: "Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married. 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."
