‘We have lost two champions': Portuguese Football Federation statement in full after deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
The Portuguese Football Federation said it was 'devastated' to learn of the pair's deaths – adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.'
Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
Jota was part of Liverpool 's Premier League -winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.
In a statement, the Portuguese national team said: ' Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents.
'He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.'
In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation said: 'The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.
'Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.
'On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players.
'The Portuguese Football Federation has asked UEFA to hold a minute's silence ahead of our national team's match against Spain in the Women's European Championship on Thursday.
'We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.'
Jota married his long term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 in Portugal.
The pair got together in 2013, it has been reported, and have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November.
Jota frequently shared pictures of him and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife has posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland.
They also have three pet beagles.
On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: 'A day we will never forget.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
37 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Liverpool sign defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma
The highly-rated Italy Under-19 international will cost an initial £26million plus add-ons and will go straight into Arne Slot's squad to fill a gap which has seen the head coach operate in pre-season with just two fit centre-backs after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. His signing is subject to international clearance and a work permit but he will be at Anfield for the Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Benvenuto, Giovanni 👋 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025 In 2023, after making his debut for Padova, Leoni said he was 'inspired' by Virgil van Dijk and now he has a chance to learn from the Liverpool captain at close quarters. Ibrahima Konate is Van Dijk's established partner but Leoni will be vying with Joe Gomez, Liverpool's longest-serving current player who has only just returned from injury, to challenge the France international. 'Because it's one of the best clubs in the world it's not possible to say no to this club,' he told 'I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here. 'I'm so honoured. I was very happy (about Liverpool being interested). When I saw this I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.'.' Giovanni Leoni is a Red. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 15, 2025 Liverpool also remain interested in Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, although discussions have stalled over a fee for a player in the final year of his contract. Despite a significant outlay on eight players Liverpool have recouped almost £200m in sales following the departures of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Caoihmhin Kelleher, Tyler Morton and Nat Phillips.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Liverpool pay emotional tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of Premier League opener
Diogo Jota 's family were in attendance at Anfield as Liverpool paid an emotional tribute towards the late forward and his brother ahead of their Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Jota died in a car crash along with brother Andre Silva in Spain on 3 July after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. Liverpool fans sang a rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone before a minute's silence was impeccably observed. A loud rendition of Diogo Jota's song was accompanied by banners commemorating the late forward, one of them in the Bournemouth end, in a gesture by the visiting fans. Mosaics were formed by fans in the Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop as Liverpool paid their own tribute. Chants of Jota's name continued to ring around the stadium as the game got underway, all players wearing black armbands, with fans singing his now immortalised 'Number 20' anthem. "We know that this will be a very emotional occasion, given it is the first league game we have played since we lost Diogo and Andre,' Arne Slot said in his pre-match programme notes. "As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.' Reds captain Virgil van Dijk added in his programme notes: 'It will be a very emotional occasion for everybody associated with the club, and especially for Diogo's wife, Rute, their children and his family, who will be in attendance this evening. 'They remain, of course, the most important people in all of this, and it is important that we as a club – players, staff, supporters – are there for them always, and that they know that they will always be loved and welcomed here at Anfield.' Anfield will come together again to commemorate Jota on the 20-minute mark - a tribute planned for every Liverpool game in the foreseeable future, applauding and singing his name in his memory. Liverpool retired Jota's number 20 shirt earlier this summer, with the Portuguese forward listed under 'Forever' on their website's squad list.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Liverpool vs Bournemouth LIVE SCORE: Ekitike coolly slots past Petrovic to put Reds ahead in Prem opener
LIVERPOOL have taken the lead in this season's Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Hugo Ekitike kept his composure in front of goal before coolly slotting past Petrovic. And the summer signing celebrated with a nice tribute to Diogo Jota. 32 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth 10. Another smart attack from the visitors brings another corner. Semenyo is the catalyst once more, dropping in and feeding Smith on the overlap; the right-back eventually seeing his cross blocked behind. 33 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth 9. Alisson confidently claims a corner that had been conceded cheaply by Konate's wayward backpass. The Brazilian goalkeeper is tonight making his 300th appearance for Bournemouth in all competitions. 33 minutes ago By Joshua Hall Brothers remembered Here's another look at those incredibly touching tributes for both Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. 34 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth 8. Andoni Iraola is furiously scribbling notes in the dugout. I imagine they simply say: "Whole new defence needed." 35 minutes ago By Sam Dymond Liverpool 0-0 Bournemouth 6. After Van Dijk had headed another Liverpool opportunity, Bournemouth pour forward for the first time... ...and nearly stun Anfield. Truffert's teasing cross on the run from the left finds Semenyo goalside of Kerkez, only for the Ghanaian to arrow over on the half-volley. 36 minutes ago By Joshua Hall Forever 20 Diogo Jota's initials and numbers were displayed in the Kop as the Liverpool team bowed their heads for the minute's silence. The Sir Kenny Dalglish stand displayed a tribute to Andre Silva too.
