Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Dead at 28—But What Caused the Fatal Accident in Zamora?
Diogo Jota has passed away at the age of 28 after a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning according to Portguese media.
The Liverpool FC forward had been travelling on the A52 in the province of Zamora when their car went off the road and caught fire. The incident occured just two weeks after Jota married his long-term girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, in Porto.
The head of the Portugal Football Federation, Pedro Proenca, confirmed Jota’s death in a statement saying: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 international caps, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.”
Gary Neville pays tribute to Jota
Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United captain, Gary Neville, pays tribute to Jota.
He wrote on X: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”
Spanish Guardia Civil statement
Here is the full statement from the Guardia Civil, given verbally, confirming the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Felipe:
“The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking.
“It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora.
“The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.”
The Guardia Civil was asked to confirm the identities of those involved in the accident, the Guardia Civil said: “The player and his brother, Andre Felipe.”
Jota married his partner 11 days ago
Adding to the tragedy is the fact that Jota married his wife, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days ago on 22 June 2025.
In a post shared on the couple’s social media, the pair wrote: “Yes, forever.”
