Report: Tragedy strikes Liverpool as Diogo Jota dies in Spanish road accident
Shockwaves Across Merseyside
In what was meant to be a summer of joy and celebration, Liverpool Football Club is instead mourning the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash in north-west Spain just 11 days after his wedding. The 28-year-old Portuguese forward lost his life alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in what investigators believe may have been caused by a high-speed tyre blowout.
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Fans, players, and football figures around the world have been united in grief following confirmation of the heartbreaking news. Liverpool described themselves as 'devastated' in a club statement and immediately offered support to Jota's family, including his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children. Flags at Anfield were lowered to half-mast, while tributes poured in from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jurgen Klopp, Kenny Dalglish and many others.
A Summer That Was Meant To Be Perfect
Jota had only recently been celebrating what appeared to be the perfect summer: a Nations League triumph with Portugal, a fairytale wedding in Porto, and family moments captured on the Anfield pitch after Liverpool's 20th league title win. His wedding video, shared online with the words 'A day we will never forget,' has become tragically prophetic.
Photo: IMAGO
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Photos of the smiling couple, their wedding rings, and their three children celebrating together are now gut-wrenching symbols of a life cruelly cut short. Just weeks ago, his sons Denis and Duarte were taking turns lifting the Premier League trophy in front of the Kop. Now, the football world is left grappling with an unspeakable loss.
Unanswered Questions Surround Crash
According to an article from Daniel Taylor and Guillermo Rai of The Athletic, Jota had opted for a ferry journey to England due to recent surgery which made flying inadvisable. Tragically, he never made it past Benavente. The Lamborghini Huracan he was travelling in veered off the A-52 and burst into flames. Emergency services confirmed both Jota and his brother died at the scene.
The road conditions in the area — dubbed 'empty Spain' — have already been questioned, with local ambulance drivers reportedly avoiding certain lanes due to poor surfaces. Local officials, however, have urged restraint until formal investigations conclude.
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A Family Man and a Liverpool Favourite
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said it best: 'He was not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone… someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them.' Slot also described him as 'the essence of what a Liverpool player should be.'
Jota was revered not only for his work ethic and goals but for his humility and warmth off the pitch. A doting father and devoted husband, he made time for fans and was loved by his teammates. His presence, on and off the field, will be deeply missed.
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