Liverpool participant Diogo Jota and his brother had been killed in a automotive accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they had been in veered off a street and burst into flames, police mentioned Thursday.
The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Related Press that the 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, had been discovered useless close to the northwestern metropolis of Zamora.
Jota’s dying comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso whereas on trip from an extended season the place he helped Liverpool win the Premier League title. On getting married, she wrote in a social media put up, “Sure to eternally.” He leaves behind him three youngsters, the youngest born final yr.
Police had been investigating the reason for the accident, which occurred previous midnight native time. They mentioned there have been no different automobiles concerned and that the brothers had been alone within the automotive. The our bodies had been present process forensic evaluation.
It wasn’t clear who was driving the automotive. Police had been trying into the speculation that the accident occurred due to a blown tire whereas they tried to overhaul one other car.
The crash occurred whereas Jota and Silva, who can be a Portuguese soccer participant, had been touring eastward alongside an remoted stretch of freeway about an hour west of Zamora.
Video photos of the aftermath revealed by Spanish media confirmed braking tire marks veering off the street towards torn-apart guardrails. The burnt-up automotive was seen a number of meters forward, with among the surrounding vegetation destroyed by the hearth.
Jota was taking his summer season break from soccer after having helped Portugal win the Nations League. That June 8 last in opposition to Spain in Munich was his final match.
Liverpool’s gamers are as a consequence of begin coaching for subsequent season on Monday, however Jota’s participation within the Nations League may have earned him some additional break day earlier than being known as again to Liverpool.
Liverpool mentioned the membership was “devastated by the tragic passing.”
“Liverpool FC will likely be making no additional remark presently and request the privateness of Diogo and Andre’s household, mates, teammates and membership employees is revered as they attempt to come to phrases with an unimaginable loss. We are going to proceed to offer them with our full help.”
Liverpool followers gathered to position flowers and crew scarves outdoors Anfield Stadium to mourn Jota’s passing when information of his dying unfold.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and received three main trophies with the Merseyside membership.
Jota was a medical finisher, scoring 65 targets in 182 video games for the Reds. His final aim for the membership was the winner within the Merseyside derby in opposition to Everton in April, which moved the crew nearer to the league title.
His brother Silva performed with Portuguese membership Penafiel within the decrease divisions.
Portugal mourns lack of brothers
Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro commented on the “surprising and tragic” deaths. He mentioned Jota was “an athlete who drastically honored Portugal’s title.”
“I lengthen my deepest condolences to their household,” he mentioned. “It’s a unhappy day for soccer and for nationwide and worldwide sports activities.”
Born in Porto in 1996, Jota made his skilled debut with Portuguese membership Paços de Ferreira.
The Portuguese soccer federation launched an announcement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proença mentioned Portuguese soccer was “fully devastated.”
“Greater than a improbable participant, with virtually 50 appearances for the nationwide crew, Diogo Jota was a unprecedented particular person, revered by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious pleasure and was a reference in his group,” Proença mentioned within the assertion.
The Portuguese federation mentioned it has requested a minute of silence earlier than Thursday’s match between Portugal and Spain on the Ladies’s European Championship being performed in Switzerland.
“We misplaced two champions,” Proença mentioned. “Their deaths characterize an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer, and we are going to all do our greatest to honor their legacy day by day.”
Diogo Jota was 28. (Picture by Peter Byrne/PA Photographs through Getty Photographs)
Sports activities world reacts
Response additionally began pouring in from internationally, together with from non-soccer gamers akin to NBA star LeBron James — a minority proprietor at Liverpool — and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
“It does not make any sense,” Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned. “Simply now we had been collectively within the nationwide crew, simply now you had gotten married. My condolences to your loved ones, to your spouse and to your youngsters. I want all of them the power on this planet. I do know that you’ll at all times be with them. Relaxation in peace, Diogo and André. We are going to all miss you.”
Former membership Porto and former teammates lamented the deaths and despatched condolences, as did different golf equipment, federations and leagues.
The Premier League mentioned it was “shocked and devastated.”
“Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s household, mates, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time,” it mentioned. “Soccer has misplaced a champion who will likely be eternally missed. We are going to proceed to help our mates and colleagues on the membership.”
UEFA mentioned its ideas had been with relations, mates and teammates affected “by this heartbreaking loss.” It mentioned a second of silence will likely be noticed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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