Liverpool soccer star Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain with his younger brother, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said.
The 28-year-old Jota, who won the Premier League title with Liverpool last season and played for Portugal’s national team, got married to Rute Cardoso just two weeks ago. The couple have three children together.
The crash occurred near Zamora in northwestern Spain. Jota’s brother, André Silva, was also killed, according to the FPF. Silva, 26, played for Penafiel in the second tier of Portuguese soccer.
Spain’s Guardia Civil said in a statement that their investigation “points to a road accident due to a burst tire while overtaking,” which occurred at 00:30 a.m. local time.
The police force added that the car, which Spanish media said was a Lamborghini, subsequently caught fire.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and all the Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andres Silva this morning in Spain,” the federation said in a statement.
“Much more than a fantastic player with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Joto was an extraordinary person, respected by colleagues and adversaries, someone with a contagious joy and a reference in his own community.”
Jota earned 49 caps for the Portuguese national team, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Jota played an important role in Liverpool’s recent title-winning season, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances.
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