Diogo Jota: Liverpool and Portugal Star Dies in Car Crash in Spain Aged 28 Alongside His Brother Just Weeks After Wedding Day

Liverpool soccer star Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28 after his Lamborghini veered off the road in northern Spain—just two weeks after marrying his childhood love. The Portuguese striker was in the supercar with his younger brother, Andre, 26, a professional footballer, who was also killed in the early morning crash.

The accident took place when the tyre of their $180,000 Lamborghini Urus SUV burst while overtaking on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, close to Zamora in northwestern Spain, near the Portuguese border, according to reports. The high-performance vehicle lost control, flipped over, and caught fire at around 12:35 a.m., also setting a nearby vegetation ablaze.

Gone too Soon

Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but neither Jota nor his brother Andre could not be saved. Authorities have yet to determine which of the two was behind the wheel. Liverpool FC released a statement that the club is “devastated” by the tragedy, describing the event as an “unimaginable loss” for Diogo’s family, friends, and supporters.

Outside Anfield, fans gathered in mourning, leaving flowers and heartfelt tributes—many in tears.

Jota had just married Rute Cardoso, his 28-year-old partner since the age of 16 and the mother of his three children. Just days earlier, he had referred to himself as “the luckiest man in the world” to be her husband, sharing touching footage from their wedding in his final Instagram post on Wednesday.

The couple were married on June 22 in Porto, Jota’s hometown. On Wednesday, Rute posted additional wedding photos on social media, calling it “my dream come true,” to which Jota replied, “I’m the lucky one.”

The fatal crash took place on the A-52 highway in Zamora province. This major road is commonly used by travelers leaving northern Portugal toward ports like Santander and Bilbao, or heading northeast toward France.

Emergency officials in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash and the two deaths shortly after it happened early Thursday. The Portuguese Football Federation later confirmed the deaths of Jota and Andre around 8 a.m.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s friend and teammate and one of Portugal’s greatest player, said: “It doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together for the national team, you were just married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. RIP. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”

A Star Is Gone

Diogo was born Diogo Silva but later adopted the surname “Jota” to distinguish himself, as Silva is a very common last name. His younger brother, Andre, chose to keep the family name. The two brothers were the only children of Joaquim and Isabel Silva.

Jota was a key member of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning squad during the 2024/25 season, scoring six goals in 26 matches. He also represented Portugal at the international level and was part of the national team and helped it win the Nations Cup last month in an extraordinary win over Spain on penalties.

Andre, his younger brother, played professionally for Penafiel, a club in Portugal’s second division.

According to the Spanish Civil Guard, both Diogo and Andre Silva were found dead after their car went off a roadway near the city of Zamora.

The Portuguese national team said they are “devastated” by the news and said that Jota “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents.”

Liverpool posted on Instagram on Thursday, “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.”

Jota made the move to Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and went on to win three major titles with the Merseyside club, including last season’s Premier League championship.