Liverpool forward and Portuguese International, Diogo Jota, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash, aged 28.
The Portugal forward’s brother, Andre Silva, also died in the accident, which took place in the Spanish province of Zamora.
The 26-year-old Andre Silva was also a professional footballer with Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel.
The Liverpool forward married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he has three children, just last month.
He recently posted pictures on social media of the ceremony, which took place on 22 June.
Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season before helping Portugal win the Nations League final in June.
The fatal incident took place shortly after midnight near the Spanish city of Zamora when the luxury sports car carrying him and his sibling left the roadway and caught fire.
Emergency responders were unable to save either Jota or his younger brother.
The soccer player was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph this past season, while also capturing domestic cup honours during his tenure at Anfield.
The path of Jota to professional soccer began in his native Portugal, where he developed through youth programmes at Gondomar and later Paços de Ferreira.
After breaking into senior soccer, his talents attracted Spanish giants, Atlético Madrid, who signed him in 2016.
Subsequent loan arrangements took him to Porto and eventually Wolverhampton Wanderers, where his abilities truly flourished.
During his time with Wolves, Jota emerged as a formidable attacking threat, netting goals that proved crucial in the club’s return to England’s top division.
His scoring record across multiple seasons ultimately convinced Liverpool to invest significantly in his services, completing a transfer worth over £40 million ($55 million) in September 2020.
At Liverpool, Jota established himself as an essential component of manager Jürgen Klopp’s tactical system.
Working alongside stars such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino, he contributed significantly to the team’s offensive output.
The American-owned franchise, controlled by Fenway Sports Group (which also operates the Boston Red Sox and includes NBA icon LeBron James among its investors), viewed Jota as a cornerstone of their championship ambitions.
Internationally, Jota represented Portugal across multiple age groups before earning his senior debut in 2019.
He accumulated nearly 50 caps for his country and helped secure UEFA Nations League victories on two occasions.
His international career saw him play alongside Portuguese legends including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jota gained recognition in competitive gaming circles. He achieved top rankings in FIFA video game competitions.
He operated his own esports organisation, originally branded as “Diogo Jota eSports” before becoming Luna Galaxy.
His streaming activities on various platforms helped bridge the gap between conventional sports and digital entertainment.
Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro posted on X: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured 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.”
•Sources: BBC News, Variety Magazine
