Diogo Jota death latest: Liverpool killed in car crash in Spain, says report

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.”

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.”

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.”

Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described Jota’s death as “tragic” and extended his condolences to the family.

In a social post on X, he said: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honored Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic.

“I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”

Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation said in a statement: “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.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked Uefa for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.

“We lost to two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honour their legacy.”

The Portugal international joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and established himself as a key attacker under Jurgen Klopp and latterly Arne Slot, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup in his five-year spell at Anfield.

Liverpool Football Club have not yet commented on the reports, but Jota’s death was confirmed by Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation.

Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash.

“The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire,” their statement read.

“1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.

“From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”

The news that Diogo Jota has passed away comes from Spanish and Portuguese media.

Spanish state-owned TV cited local firefighters at the scene of a car crash in Zamora.

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died aged 28 after a car accident in Portugal, according to Spanish state-owned TV, citing local firefighters.