"Diogo Jota's emotional last message: 'A day we won't forget,' penned hours before his fatal car accident"
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Liverpool star Diogo Jota lost his life in a car accident on July 3, 2025, just 10 days after his wedding to long-time partner Rute Cardoso. The couple, who had been together since their teenage years, celebrated their union on June 22, 2025, in an intimate ceremony in their hometown of Porto, Portugal.
The couple's love story began at the age of 13, blossoming into a deep bond that grew into a lasting romance and family life. Rute Cardoso, an avid supporter of Jota's football career, was often seen wearing his jersey at matches. Together, they raised three beautiful children: a son named Dinis, born in 2021, and two daughters, Duarte and a youngest child whose name remains undisclosed.
The wedding day was described as emotional and joyful, with both Jota and Rute sharing an Instagram wedding reel filled with happy memories just hours before the fatal crash. Jota captioned the post "A day we will never forget," while Rute wrote, "Yes to forever" and "My dream came true."
Diogo Jota, who was 28 years old at the time of his death, had joined Liverpool in September 2020 for a $54 million transfer fee, having previously played for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He had recently celebrated winning the Premier League with Liverpool in May 2025 and was a key player for the Portuguese national team.
The tragic accident occurred in the Spanish province of Zamora on June 3, 2025. Jota and his 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva, also a professional footballer, were traveling in a Lamborghini when a tyre blowout caused the car to lose control while overtaking another vehicle at high speed. The car ran off the road and caught fire instantly, making rescue impossible. Both brothers died at the scene according to the Spanish Civil Guard.
The sudden tragedy has left the football and sports communities in mourning, as well as Jota's family grieving the loss of a beloved husband and father. The Portuguese Football Federation has expressed deep condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
The Portuguese Football Federation has also requested a minute's silence before the match of the Portuguese national team with Spain in the women's European Championship, to honour the legacy of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. The Instagram post of Diogo Jota's wedding day received over 190,000 likes and more than 1,000 comments, serving as a testament to the impact he had on people's lives.
In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation described Diogo Jota as an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, with an infectious joy and a reference in the community. The Federation also praised his commitment to football and his contributions to the Portuguese national team.
This loss is a profound one for the football world, and our thoughts are with Diogo Jota's family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time.
- The general news and sports communities are mourning the loss of Diogo Jota, a prominent football player, who died in a car accident on July 3, 2025, just 10 days after his wedding.
- Despite his success in the Premier League and European leagues with Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, it was Jota's love story with long-time partner Rute Cardoso that truly captivated people, as seen in the overwhelming response to their wedding reel on Instagram.
- Crimes and accidents are being investigated in relation to the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, as a tyre blowout is believed to have caused the Lamborghini they were traveling in to lose control.
- While the European Championship match between the Portuguese national team and Spain will be a challenging game, it is expected to be a somber occasion as well, with a minute's silence held in remembrance of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
