Liverpool’s Diogo Jota dies in car crash aged 28
The Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has been killed in a car accident in Spain. He was 28, a father of three young children and had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago.
The tragic news was first reported in Portuguese media and has been confirmed by Liverpool. It is understood that Jota and his brother, 26-year-old André, were travelling in a car that came off a road in the province of Zamora.
Key events
Josh Halliday
Elliot Francis, 19, was wearing his treasured Liverpool shirt bearing Jota’s name and autograph – signed by his favourite player after one of the many home games when the Portuguese would stop and chat to fans.
“I used to see him nearly every week,” Francis said. “He was always calm, always nice with the fans, always with his wife and family.”
He added: “I’m just devastated about it. He was everything the club wanted. An honorary scouser. I just wanted to be here to pay my respects. It’s the least he deserves after how much he loved us.”
Francis, a season ticket holder in The Kop, said he hoped the club’s first pre-season friendly against Preston North End in two weeks would be called off as a mark of respect.
Wolves supporters have also been laying flowers and tributes outside Molineux, where Diogo Jota spent three years of his career.
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has posted: “What sad news. All my thoughts and affection for his wife, his children, family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace Diogo Jota and André Silva.”
PM says Jota death is ‘devastating news’
Sir Keir Starmer said the death of Diogo Jota was “devastating news”, as he paid tribute to the Liverpool footballer.
Asked about Jota’s death while speaking in east London, the Prime Minister told reporters: “Let me start with Jota, because this is devastating news.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
“But there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.
“I think Liverpool Football Club have just put a statement out as I understand it, but it is devastating, and it is really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.” PA Media
The former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says he is “in a state of shock” after Diogo Jota’s death.
“Just in a state of shock,” Carragher told Sky Sports News. “Not with anyone associated to Liverpool but football in general. It is one of the few times when the football family all come together.
“I just cannot believe it. For everybody involved but especially his family – his wife and the children they’ve got, it’s devastating for all involved.
“I can only imagine how his teammates feel at Liverpool and Portugal, they must be in a world of pain with his friends and family.
“It just shows us all how quickly life can change. What a summer he’s had, and you get this devastating news that his family have had in the last few hours, you can’t even comprehend it.”
Josh Halliday
Our North of England editor Josh Halliday is at Anfield with a growing number of Liverpool fans.
Anfield season ticket holder Gary Moss was holding back tears as fans laid floral tributes to Jota outside the stadium’s Hillsborough memorial.
“It’s just devastating,” he said. “He’s a 28-year-old kid, family, got married last month. He was a big favourite, he had the best song.
“He just always came across as a really nice human being and that’s probably the worst part of it. He understood the club. It’s tremendously sad for the family.
“He was so popular. He was loved by everybody. There will never be another No 20 for this club and that’s how it should be.
“It’s a game at the end of the day and it’s a young fella who’s good at something, who managed to maintain his humility. It’s devastating for his family more than anything.”
Cristiano Ronaldo releases emotional tribute
Diogo Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo has wished “all the strength in the world” to the forward’s wife and children.
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.
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Liverpool have lowered flags to half-mast at Anfield in tribute to Diogo Jota.
Fans have started arriving at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium to pay their own personal tributes to Diogo Jota.
Andre Silva’s club Penafiel have expressed their “sorrow and dismay” after the death of their player and his brother Diogo Jota.
“Penafiel Football Club expresses its deepest sorrow over the tragic passing of Andre Silva and his brother Diogo Jota, victims of a car accident that occurred in the last few hours,” a club statement said.
“The loss of two lives so young and connected to the world of football fills us with sorrow and dismay. At this very difficult moment, Penafiel Football Club sends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared with André and Diogo moments of life and passion for the sport.
“The club will decree official mourning and pay tribute to upcoming sporting commitments.
“May you rest in peace.”
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Tom Garry
Uefa has confirmed that a moment of silence will be observed at today’s and tomorrow’s Women’s Euros matches in memory of Diogo Jota and André Silva.
The flag on Liverpool town hall has been lowered to half mast as a mark of respect for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.
Wolves ‘heartbroken’ by Jota’s death
Diogo Jota’s former club Wolves, where the forward spent three seasons, say they are “heartbroken” after the confirmation of his death.
“We are heartbroken,” Wolves said in a statement. “Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre. You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”
Needless to say, the tributes have been pouring in for Jota.
Jota’s Portugal teammate Rúben Neves, who plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, wrote on Instagram: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”
The former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea posted on Instagram a photo of Jota with the words “sometimes life is very cruel”.
The former Liverpool striker Ian Rush said: “I’m deeply saddened and shocked by the heartbreaking news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, children, and everyone in his family, as well as his friends and supporters.”
Stephen Burgen
The cause of the accident, which happened around midnight on Wednesday night, is not clear, but according to police reports the driver lost control after one of the car’s rear tyres was punctured. It burst into flames and firefighters had to extinguish a blaze in the surrounding countryside caused by the accident.
Gary Naylor gets in touch: “Almost everything in life fades as you get older – from Van Gogh colour to Malevitch monochrome. You’ve seen it before, you’ve heard the hype before, you’ve a staleness where younger people have a fire. But the exception is news like this morning’s. Diogo Jota was the same age as my elder son, a fact that arrows through my heart. When I reflect on all the times the sliding doors went the right way for me, I shiver. Jeez. Don’t ever think you’ll get round to it one day – do it.”
Everton have passed on their condolences: “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.”
Matt Dony emails in: “A couple of seasons ago, a friend did something outrageously kind. He secured tickets on The Kop for him, his son and me. At the time, I was a single father who shared custody of my then 11-year-old son. He would have been with me that day, so I said I’d have to turn down the ticket. My friend offered his ticket to me for my son, and he would watch the match in a pub nearby. My son was football mad, and like me, a Liverpool fan. The game was the 4-3 against Tottenham, with Liverpool battering Spurs for the first half and quickly going ahead, before spurs came back and scored a late equaliser. Diogo Jota scored a 90+ minute winner right in front of us. I will never forget the joy on my son’s face as we celebrated that goal. Jota is, and always will be, responsible for one of my very favourite memories. This has hit me much harder than I expected.”
I was there that day, too. What an incredible moment.
The Football Association have paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
We are devastated to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Diogo’s family, friends and team-mates at Liverpool and Portugal. https://t.co/sheeadCYqN
— The FA (@FA) July 3, 2025
Liverpool ‘devastated’ by Diogo Jota’s death
Liverpool have released a statement, which reads: “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.”
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The former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has taken to X to say: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning.”
Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning.
Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids 💔 pic.twitter.com/BSYBL5yVre— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) July 3, 2025
I’ve covered a lot of Liverpool in recent years and Diogo Jota was always one of those players who stood out on the pitch. He was relentless, never giving up a ball and eager to win it back, a trait not all forwards have. His real quality was in his finishing, when he received a pass inside the area, the odds were in his favour because he was so cool and could almost always find a way to beat the keeper.
The Spanish Guardia Civil have released a statement.
“The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking,” the statement reads. “It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.”
Diogo Jota’s former club Porto, where his brother Andre also played as a youth, have posted.
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.
O Futebol Clube do Porto está de luto.
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
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) July 3, 2025
It is truly horrible news coming in from Spain about Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese national team have posted on X.
The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain.
Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the National Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship.
We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.
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.
Muito mais do que o fantástico jogador, com quase 50 internacionalizações pela Seleção Nacional A, Diogo… pic.twitter.com/yR9TII2h3K
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2025
Liverpool’s Diogo Jota dies in car crash aged 28
The Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has been killed in a car accident in Spain. He was 28, a father of three young children and had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago.
The tragic news was first reported in Portuguese media and has been confirmed by Liverpool. It is understood that Jota and his brother, 26-year-old André, were travelling in a car that came off a road in the province of Zamora.
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It’s the morning after the night before in Switzerland. The tournament began with Finland edging past Iceland in a tense opener. Then the hosts got involved but it was not the dream start as Norway secured all three points.
As well as looking back at the previous night’s fixtures, we will be focusing on the future and the games in Group B. First Belgium take on Italy and then it is Spain v Belgium, as the tournament favourites enter the fray.
Amid all that I am there will be bits and bobs from elsewhere in the footballing world cropping up to be discussed. As ever, fire in your questions, comments and observations.