On Thursday, Liverpool and Portugal striker Diogo Jota died in a car accident in Spain. The Portuguese soccer federation announced the demise of the 28-year-old athlete.
The Liverpool football club released a statement that reads.
“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 as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
According to the Spanish agency EFE, the Portuguese star and his brother Andre were killed in the accident that happened on the Rias Bajas Highway near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora, northwestern Spain. Diogo Jota got married just two weeks ago in a private ceremony.
The Portugal FA President, Dr. Pedro Proenca, said in a statement. “The Portuguese Futebol Federation and all Portuguese Futebol are completely devastated with the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva this morning in Spain.”
Jota signed for Liverpool in September 2020 from Wolverhampton in a contract worth $40 million. Since joining Liverpool, he has scored a total of 65 goals in 182 games in all competitions with the Reds. He won the 2024-25 Premier League and two UEFA Nations League trophies with Portugal.
Portugal’s prime minister, Luis Montenegro, also posted a statement on his social media. “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”