'We have lost two champions': Liverpool star Diogo Jota, 28, dies alongside brother after Spain crash
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Liverpool striker Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain. He was 28.
Jota was travelling with his brother Andre Silva, 25, when their Lamborghini went off the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking in Zamora in north-western Spain, the Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to the Associated Press.
The car caught fire and both brothers were killed, police said.
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Diogo Jota of Portugal during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final. Edith Geuppert - GES Sportfoto via Getty Images
No other vehicles were believed to have been involved in the crash, which occurred at 12.30am local time. It comes just two weeks after Jota's wedding to partner Rute Cardoso.
Liverpool said the club was "devastated by the tragic passing".
"Liverpool FC 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," the statement read.
"We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença said the nation's "football community are completely devastated" by the pair's deaths.
Proenca extended his condolences to their family and respective club teams.
"Much more than just a fantastic player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself," Proenca said in a statement.
"On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my 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 played, respectively.
Diogo Jota picture with his wife Rute Cardoso on their wedding day. Instagram
"We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day."
Proenca said the FPF had requested a minute's silence before Portugal's opening match in the women's European Championship in Switzerland against Spain on Friday morning (AEST).
The crash comes just two weeks after Jota married Cardoso in Porto, and in a social media post they wrote, "Yes to forever". The couple have three young children, the youngest born last year.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wolves in 2020 on a deal worth roughly $85 million.
The Portuguese talent won four major trophies with Liverpool, including the 2024/25 English Premier League title, the EFL Cup twice and the FA Cup.
He represented Portugal 49 times and scored 14 goals. In his 182 appearances with Liverpool, he recorded 65 goals.
Silva played for the Portuguese team Penafiel, who compete in the country's second-tier league.
Reported with Associated Press
