Retrospective 2025: Diogo Jota, Liverpool striker dies aged 28 in tragic accident in Spain By Beatriz
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Diogo Jota, striker for the Portuguese national team and Liverpool, died at the age of 28 in a car accident on July 3, 2025.
The vehicle in which he was traveling with his brother André Silva left the road and caught fire on the A-52 highway, near Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora, northwest of
Authorities confirmed that both died at the scene during the early hours of the morning local time.
Jota had won recent titles with club and country.
- The accident involved an Lamborghini.
- The brothers went from Portugal to Reino Unido.
- Medical recommendation led to land travel after lung surgery.
Circumstances of the accident
The Spanish Guarda Civil investigated the case.
The tire burst while overtaking, causing the crash.
The car caught fire immediately after leaving the track.
Firefighters controlled the flames that spread to the vegetation.
Brothers’ trip
Diogo Jota and André Silva started from Portugal.
The final destination was Reino Unido, where Jota resided.
Intermediate stop occurred at Benavente, at Espanha.
Family alerted authorities when they noticed delay.
Career in football
Diogo Jota started his career at Paços of Ferreira.
It went through Porto and Wolverhampton before reaching Liverpool in 2020.
Conquered Premier League, Copa from Inglaterra and Copas from Liga.
For the Portuguese national team, he played 49 games and scored 14 goals.
Won the Liga of the Nações in 2019 and 2025.
Recent personal life
The player married Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025.
The ceremony took place on Portugal.
The couple had three children.
André Silva played for Penafiel, in the Portuguese second division.
He recently graduated from Gestão.
Immediate tributes
Liverpool fans left flowers at Anfield.
Banners with “YNWA” appeared in the stadium.
Federation Portuguesa requested a minute of silence.
Clubs such as Wolverhampton and Porto issued notes.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jürgen Klopp mourned the loss.
Funeral and wake
The wake took place in Gondomar, the brothers’ hometown.
Funeral took place the day after the accident.
Liverpool’s entourage attended.
Authorities identified bodies using documents and vehicle license plates.
DNA tests confirmed the identities.
Legacy in Portuguese sport
Jota represented the team’s winning generation.
Participated in recent achievements.
André Silva combined his career with studies.
Both grew at Gondomar.
Portuguese football lost two promising athletes.
