Tragedy in Spain: Diogo Jota Dies in Car Crash

On July 3, 2025, the football world was shaken by tragic news: Portuguese national team forward and Liverpool player Diogo Jota died in a car accident in the Spanish province of Zamora. According to Marca, his brother André Silva was also in the car and did not survive the crash.

The accident occurred on the morning of July 3 on the 65th kilometer of the A-52 highway, near the Sanabria region of Zamora. Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle the brothers were traveling in suddenly veered off the road and caught fire. The blaze quickly engulfed the car and spread to nearby vegetation.

Eyewitnesses immediately called emergency services by dialing 112, but despite their quick response, the occupants of the vehicle could not be saved — both died at the scene.

UPDATED: Video emerges from the car crash that killed Diogo Jota

Diogo Jota was considered one of the brightest talents of Portugal’s new football generation. Since 2020, he had played for Liverpool, appearing in over 120 matches and scoring nearly 50 goals. He was also a key figure for the national team, netting 14 goals in nearly 50 appearances.

Just a week ago, Jota celebrated his wedding with Rute Cardoso - personal happiness was just beginning to take shape, when the life of the talented athlete was suddenly cut short. The couple has three children.

The Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed the death of the footballers.

"The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are utterly devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and André Silva this morning in Spain.

Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player who earned nearly 50 caps for the national team, he was also an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents — a man whose infectious joy and leadership were felt throughout the community.

On my behalf and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and André, as well as to the clubs Liverpool and Penafiel, where the players played respectively.

The Portuguese Football Federation has already contacted UEFA with a request to honor the memory of our footballers with a minute of silence this Thursday before our team’s match against Spain at the Women’s European Championship.

We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva is an irreplaceable loss for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honor their legacy every day," the statement reads.