Devastating news has emerged from northern Spain. Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his brother André, 26, have tragically passed away following a serious car accident just two weeks after Diogo’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso.
Diogo Jota Dies in Tragic Car Accident
The brothers were travelling on the A‑52 road in Zamora, a main route connecting northern Portugal and Spain, when their vehicle veered off the road. It crashed and subsequently erupted in flames.
Emergency services in Castilla y León responded swiftly. According to officials, “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.
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.”
Incredibly, Diogo had only just tied the knot in Porto with Rute Cardoso, the mother of their three children. In a recent interview, he described himself as “the luckiest man in the world.” Now, their future has been cruelly cut short.
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The Portuguese Football Federation’s president, Pedro Proença, confirmed the tragic news: “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.”
He added: “Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.”
Further paying tribute, he said: “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.
Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy.”
This loss transcends sport. It touches families, teammates, clubs, and fans across nations. Liverpool FC and Portugal mourn. The A‑52 road, so vital, yet now the scene of heartache.
The legacy of Diogo Jota and his brother will not fade. And fans and friends across the globe will carry their memories forward, today and every day.
