Liverpool Diogo Jota footballer died in a car accident in Spain after a Lamborghini, he was traveling on the road and broke out in flames after an eruption of tires.
Tributes from the world of football and beyond flooded the father of three 28-year-olds, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso only 11 days ago.
Jota was found dead alongside his brother Andre Silva following the A-52 accident in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12:40 p.m. Thursday.
The police said that they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini has left the road due to a tire rash during the overtaking, and a source from the government’s sub-delegation to Zamora confirmed that “a possible speed incident” was examined.
Liverpool said the club was “devastated” by the news and that it was “unimaginable loss”.
Manager Arne Slot said that the “feeling of shock is absolute” for the club.
“Diogo was not only our player,” he said. “He was a loved one for all of us.
“I could say a lot about what he has brought to our team, but the truth is that everyone who watched Diogo play could see him. A hard work, a desire, a commitment, a high quality, objectives.
“The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.”
Slot said that the player “had never sought popularity” but had still won him and was a friend of everyone, capable of making others feel good about them “simply being with them”.
He said that the last time they talked, he wanted Jota’s luck for his next marriage.
“In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes him even more heartbreaking than it should end like that,” added Slot.
He recalled the learning, when he came to the club for the first time, of the song that Liverpool fans sang for Jota and said that he knew “immediately” who meant that the player must have “special qualities”.
“When the time comes, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song,” said Slot.
“For the moment, we will remember him as a unique human being and cry his loss. He will never be forgotten. “
The director general of football of the club and its sports director declared in a joint statement that what happened is a tragedy that “transcends” the Liverpool FC.
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes said that the club felt “totally devoid” and cry at the same time Jota and Mr. Silva too.
“Of course, we – his Liverpool family – also find it difficult to reconcile with what happened,” they continued.
“As teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow.
“We know our supporters, its national team, the former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share this sorrow. It is a tragedy that transcends the Liverpool Football Club. ”
They said they would honor Jota with “respect and affection he deserves so richly”, adding: “For the moment, we express a love that is filled with deep sadness and pain. We have lost someone really irreplaceable. ”
The club has opened physical and digital condolence books following deaths, and supporters and public members can go to the Anfield Road Road Stand in the coming days to sign a message.
The online book is on https://www.liverpoolfc.com/club/diogo-jota-supporter-condolnces.
The flags were lowered to half the stadium and all club stores, museums and visits were closed until Monday, the staff offered support for well-being.
The Portuguese Football Federation also said that it was “devastated” to learn death, adding: “their death represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football.”
The police said that no other vehicle was involved in the incident.
Photos of the consequences of the accident showed scattered debris along the road, including what seemed to be charred parts of the vehicle.
The Liverpool Football Club is devastated by the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025
A spokesperson for the sub-election of the Zamora government said that the bodies could not be “100%confirmed” and that the fingerprint and DNA tests could have been carried out.
Liverpool fans began to leave tributes outside Anfield Thursday morning – with flowers posed with messages such as “Thank you for everything, Diogo”.
Jota was part of the Liverpool winning team in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances.
He joined the Wolverhampton Wanderers Merseyside Club in 2020 – winning three major trophies.
The captain of the national team of Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo, said that he wanted Jota’s family “all the strength of the world” after the death of the Liverpool striker.
A translated version of his message on Instagram said: “makes no sense.
“Earlier, we were together in the national team, earlier, you were married.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and I wish them all the strength of the world.
“I know you will always be with them. Rip Diogo and Andre. We will miss all of you all. ”
In his own statement, the Portuguese national team said: “Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with nearly 50 ceilings for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and adversaries.
“He had contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.”
The former manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, said on Instagram that he had “with a broken heart”.
His statement said: “It’s a time when I fight! There must be a bigger goal! But I can’t see it!
“My heart is broken to hear the death of Diogo and his brother Andre.
“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a big friend, a loving and attentive husband and father!
“We will miss you so much!”
“All my prayers, my thoughts and my power in Rate, children, family, friends and all those who loved them!” Rest in peace. “
The Prince of Wales, boss of the FA, said that he was “deeply saddened” to hear JOTA’s death, adding: “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who knew him.”
As part of the football family, I am deeply saddened to learn the death of Diogo Jota and his brother. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and all those who knew him @LFC @Wolves. W
– The Prince and the Princess of Wales (@Kensingtonroyal) July 3, 2025
Jota and his wife met in 2013, he was reported, and has three children together-two sons and a daughter born in November.
He has often shared photos of himself and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife published images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland.
They also have three pet beagles.
On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, published video sequences of their wedding, with legend: “One day that we will never forget.”
The secretary of culture, Lisa Nandy, told the municipalities that the whole house “has a heart broken by this news”, adding: “I wanted to send our sympathies to her family on behalf of the whole house.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that Jota’s death was a “new devastator” and “there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this”.
Metro mayor of the region of the city of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, said that he had been “broken heart” by the news and that the death of Jota was a “huge loss for our city and the world of football”.
