Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies in tragic Lamborghini crash in Spain at 28, just weeks after wedding
Liverpool Football Club and the entire football world are in mourning following the sudden death of Portuguese international Diogo Jota, who died early Thursday morning at the age of 28. Jota was killed when his Lamborghini veered off the A-52 highway in northern Spain, reportedly after a tire blowout, before bursting into flames.
Liverpool and Portugal mourn the loss of Diogo Jota, who died at 28 in a fatal Lamborghini crash in Spain with his brother, just weeks after his wedding.
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Also in the vehicle was his younger brother, André Silva, aged 26, a fellow professional footballer, who tragically died alongside him. The crash occurred near the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora, roughly 70 miles west of Valladolid—a region frequently traveled by those driving from northern Portugal.
The high-performance vehicle was attempting to overtake when the fatal accident took place. Emergency services received multiple distress calls at approximately 12:35am local time. First responders, including the Zamora Traffic Police, the Provincial Fire Brigade, and medical teams from the Mombuey Health Center, arrived quickly at the scene. Both occupants of the car were confirmed dead on-site.
Diogo Jota had recently celebrated a major life milestone, marrying his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso just two weeks ago in Porto, his hometown. The couple shared three children, and the Liverpool star had described himself as “the luckiest man in the world” in the days following their wedding.
Liverpool FC released a brief but emotional statement expressing their devastation. “Everyone at the club is deeply shocked and heartbroken by the news. Diogo was a beloved member of our family, both on and off the pitch.”
The Portuguese Football Federation echoed these sentiments, calling Jota not only “a fantastic player” with nearly 50 international caps but also “an extraordinary person.” Federation president Pedro Proença described the deaths of Jota and his brother as an “irreparable loss” for Portuguese football, and confirmed UEFA has been petitioned to observe a minute’s silence before the women's European Championship match against Spain.
Teammates, coaches, and football fans worldwide have flooded social media and public channels with tributes. Many describe Jota as a player whose energy, technical brilliance, and humility inspired admiration from teammates and opponents alike.
A crucial figure for Liverpool since his 2020 arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Diogo Jota became known for his sharp attacking instinct, versatility, and relentless work rate. At the international level, he played a key role in Portugal’s campaigns, cementing himself as one of the country's leading forwards.
Plans are reportedly underway for a public memorial in Porto, where both brothers began their football journeys and where they will be laid to rest. Tributes are also expected at Liverpool’s next match at Anfield, where fans and players alike will honor a life and career that ended far too soon.
