Football clubs, players and politicians published messages on social networks lamenting the death of player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. They died in the early hours of Thursday (3) in a car accident in the municipality of Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora, about 300 kilometers northwest of Madrid, Spain.
Jota was 28 years old and helped Liverpool beat Premier League last season, and won the FA Cup and the League Cup with the club. He also made 49 appearances for Portugal.
Authorities reported that the player’s Lamborghini tire broke out during an overtaking and left the track. The car caught fire.
“It makes no sense. Still now we were together in the national team, still had married,” wrote Cristiano Ronaldo –iogo had married on June 28.
The two players won the League of Nations together for Portugal, the first time in 2019, and the second in June 2025.
“To your family, your wife and your children, send my feelings and wish them all the strength of the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. Let’s all miss you,” added Ronaldo.
Liverpool, a club that Diogo had defended since 2020, said it was “devastated by the athlete’s tragic death.
“Liverpool FC will no longer make comments at this time and asks the privacy of family, friends, teammates, and Diogo and André club officials to be respected as they try to deal with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with all our support.”
Also a player, André Silva had passed through Porto base and currently worked at Penafiel, of the second division of Portugal.
“The loss of two lives so young and linked to the world of football fills us with pain and dismay. At this time so difficult, Football Penafiel Club addresses the most sincere condolences to family, friends and all those who have shared with André and Diogo moments of life and passion for sport,” said the club, who will decree official mourning and pay tribute in the next sports commitments.
The match between Portugal and Spain this Thursday by the Women’s Euro will also have a tribute, with a minute of silence before the initial whistle in respect to the athletes.
“One of ours. Diogo was not ‘just’ ace. It was the good, the faithful, the attentive, the simple … of those who do not need a noise to be present,” wrote Jessica Silva, striker of the Portuguese team. “Thank you, Diogo. Thank you, André. Football got poorer … And so do we. You’ll never be forgotten.”
Diogo teammate at Liverpool, Darwin Nunez said that “will always remember you with your smile, like a good companion on and off the pitch.”
“They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you,” wrote Ruben Neves of the Portuguese team and Saudi Al Hilal.
“” This is a moment of much struggle. There must be a greater purpose. But I can’t understand it. I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Diogo and his brother André, “wrote German Jürgen Klopp, former Liverpool coach.
“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a husband and loving and attentive father. We will miss it.”
Clubs that Diogo and André defend their career also spoke.
“We are heartbroken. Diogo was worshiped by our fans, loved by his teammates and estimated by all who worked with him during his time at Wolves,” wrote Wolverhampton.
“FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep regret that we send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the grassroots categories. Rest in peace.”
“Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother André. Our most sincere condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC and all his fans at this time to break his heart,” wrote the English League. “Football has lost a champion who will be forever remembered.”
Names in European politics also expressed their condolences for the death of the players.
“The news of Diogo Jota’s death, an athlete who has honored the name of Portugal, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I leave family members the most felt condolences. It is a sad day for football and national and international sport,” wrote Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister of Portugal.
“There are millions of Liverpool fans, but also soccer fans, not fans, who will also be shocked by it,” said British Prime Minister Keir Stmerer.
“It’s devastating, and it’s really important to have in mind how difficult this time will be for your friends and your family.”
“Portuguese football is devastated. The Portuguese Federation, this generation of players is in mourning. Diogo was what we all want to be, it was a reference for Portuguese football, it was a talent of its generation,” said Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation.
