What Happened to Diogo Jota: The football world was left in shock on July 3, 2025, when news broke of the tragic passing of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, in a devastating car accident in northwestern Spain. At just 28 years old, Jota was at the peak of his career, a beloved figure in the football community known for his electrifying pace, clinical finishing, and infectious joy both on and off the pitch. This blog post explores the events surrounding Jota’s untimely death, his remarkable career, and the outpouring of grief from fans, teammates, and the global football community.
Table of Contents
The Tragic Accident
The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora, close to Spain’s border with Portugal. Jota and his brother André, a 26-year-old professional footballer for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, were traveling in a Lamborghini when the vehicle suffered a tire blowout while attempting to overtake another car. According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the car veered off the road, rolled over, and burst into flames, igniting nearby vegetation. Emergency services, including the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade and medical personnel, responded swiftly but were unable to save the brothers, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The Guardia Civil’s initial investigation points to the tire blowout as the primary cause, with some reports suggesting excessive speed may have been a factor, though this remains under investigation.
The brothers were reportedly en route to Santander to catch a ferry back to the United Kingdom, where Jota was due to begin pre-season training with Liverpool FC the following Monday. It’s understood that Jota had been advised against flying due to recent surgery, which may have influenced their decision to drive.
A Life Cut Short
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known as Diogo Jota, was born on December 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal. He adopted the name “Jota” (the Portuguese letter “J”) to distinguish himself from other players with similar names in his youth academy at Paços de Ferreira. His journey to stardom began at this small Portuguese club, where he made history as the youngest player to score in the Primeira Liga for them, netting a brace in a 3-2 win over Académica de Coimbra in 2015.
Jota’s talent quickly caught the eye of bigger clubs, leading to a move to Atlético Madrid in 2016. After loan spells at FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, he joined Wolves permanently in 2018 for €14 million, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League. His performances in England earned him a £41 million transfer to Liverpool in 2020, where he became a key figure under Jürgen Klopp and later Arne Slot. Jota played 182 matches for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists, contributing to their Premier League title in 2024-25, as well as the FA Cup (2021-22) and League Cup (2021-22, 2024). Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals and winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Off the pitch, Jota was a family man and an avid gamer, once ranked world No. 1 on FIFA 21’s Champions Leaderboard and running his own eSports team, Luna Galaxy. His humility, warmth, and dedication made him a fan favorite. Just two weeks before his death, Jota married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in Porto on June 22, 2025. The couple, together since their teenage years, shared three young children. Jota’s final Instagram post, shared hours before the crash, featured wedding highlights with the caption, “A day we will never forget,” while Rute wrote, “My dream came true.” Jota replied, “I’m the lucky one.”
The Football World Mourns
The news sent shockwaves through the football community. Liverpool FC released a statement expressing their devastation: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre. Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected.”
Tributes poured in from teammates, rivals, and football institutions. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota in the recent Nations League triumph, wrote on X, “It doesn’t make sense. We were only just together in the national team, you had only just got married. I send my condolences and all the strength in the world to your family, to your wife and to your children. Rest in peace, Diogo and André.” Liverpool’s Darwin Núñez and former captain Steven Gerrard also shared heartfelt messages, while former manager Jürgen Klopp called Jota a “great friend” and a player who “made things happen.”
The Portuguese Football Federation described the brothers’ deaths as “irreparable losses for Portuguese football,” requesting a minute’s silence at the Women’s Euro 2025 matches. Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, added, “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic.” Fans gathered outside Anfield Stadium, leaving flowers, jerseys, and scarves, many referencing Liverpool’s motto, “You’ll never walk alone.”
A Lasting Legacy
Diogo Jota’s legacy extends beyond his goals and trophies. Known for his tireless work ethic and versatility, he was a player who brought joy to the game. His journey from a small club in Gondomar to the pinnacle of European football inspired countless young players. The loss of both Jota and his brother André, who was carving his own path in the sport, is a profound tragedy for their family, friends, and the football world.
As tributes continue to flow, there’s discussion among fans about retiring Jota’s No. 20 shirt, a nod to his role in Liverpool’s 20th league title. While rare in English football, such a gesture would reflect the immense impact he had in his short but brilliant career.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What caused Diogo Jota’s death?
Diogo Jota and his brother André died in a car accident on July 3, 2025, on the A-52 highway in Zamora, Spain. Their Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, causing it to veer off the road, roll over, and catch fire. Emergency services were unable to save them.
2. Who was in the car with Diogo Jota?
Jota was traveling with his younger brother, André Silva, a 26-year-old professional footballer for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division. Both brothers tragically lost their lives in the crash.
3. When did Diogo Jota get married?
Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 22, 2025, in Porto, Portugal. The couple had three children together and had been together since their teenage years.
4. How did the football community react to Jota’s death?
The football world was devastated, with tributes from Liverpool FC, teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo and Darwin Núñez, and former manager Jürgen Klopp. Fans left tributes at Anfield, and the Portuguese Football Federation requested a minute’s silence at Women’s Euro 2025 matches.
5. What were Diogo Jota’s career highlights?
Jota played 182 matches for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals, and won the Premier League (2024-25), FA Cup (2021-22), and League Cup (2021-22, 2024). He also earned 49 caps for Portugal, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.