Chijioke Gabriel
Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota was driving to board a ferry back to the UK after being advised not to fly following minor surgery, when he was killed in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva, reports have claimed.
The 28-year-old Portugal international was travelling in a Lamborghini from Porto to Santander, in northern Spain, where he intended to take a ferry to Liverpool for pre-season training, which was set to begin on Monday. The crash occurred on the A-52 motorway in Palacios de Sanabria, near Zamora, at approximately 12:40am on Thursday.
According to local authorities, the vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames — possibly caused by a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre. Both Jota and his brother were found dead at the scene.
The incident comes just 11 days after Jota married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso in Porto. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Liverpool FC said it is “devastated” by what it called an “unimaginable loss.” The Portuguese Football Federation also paid tribute, saying, “We have lost two champions.”
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota in the national team, wrote:
“This doesn’t make sense. We will all miss you.”
Shocked Liverpool fans gathered outside Anfield Stadium on Thursday, laying flowers and scarves.
One supporter, John Lynch, 64, said:
“I got the news this morning by text. Devastated. We were all looking forward to the new season. He’ll never walk through those gates again.”
Lynch added that rival fans from Everton, Manchester United, and Manchester City were expected to join in paying respects, stating, “At times like this, football goes out the window.”
Meanwhile, emotional reactions from the football world have continued to trail Jota ‘s death.
Liverpool legend, Kenny Dalglish, wrote: “Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless. Praying for his wife and their children.” Liverpool teammate, Harvey Elliott, says “Diogo, I can’t believe you’re gone… You were humble, hardworking, and kind. You’ll always be part of this team. You’ll Never Walk Alone.” For Bayern Munich’s Manager, Vincent Kompany,
“Absolutely devastating. My sincere condolences to the family,” while Everton FC said everyone at Everton is deeply saddened, praying for his family.
In the UK Parliament, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy paused proceedings to say: “We just received the heartbreaking news… The whole House is heartbroken by this news.”
Meanwhile, UEFA has confirmed that a minute of silence will be observed ahead of Portugal’s Women’s European Championship match against Spain in Bern, Switzerland.
Photos from the crash site show the charred remains of the vehicle. Local police are continuing investigations but suspect that a tyre blowout during overtaking led to the loss of control.
The crash site is located about 190 miles from Porto and close to the Portuguese border.
