Football star Diogo Jota passes away at the age of 28, with sports journalist Fabrizio Romano among those expressing heartfelt tributes for his brother André Silva.
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the footballing world was left in shock following the tragic deaths of brothers André Silva and Diogo Jota, both professional footballers, in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025.
André Silva, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder, was a promising talent in the Portuguese domestic football scene, having joined FC Penafiel, a club in the Portuguese second tier (Liga Portugal 2), in 2023. His career began in the youth setup at Gondomar SC before he moved to FC Porto at a similar youth level.
The brothers, who shared a close personal bond and a mutual passion for football, were travelling in a Lamborghini when it veered off the Rias Bajas Highway (A-52) near Palacios de Sanabria and caught fire, resulting in their instant deaths[1][2][3]. Diogo Jota, André's brother, was a star player for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, though André remained less well-known internationally.
The news of their passing has sent waves of grief throughout the football community, with tributes pouring in from various corners, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss to Portuguese football and the close relationship of the two brothers both on and off the field[1][2].
FC Penafiel, André's club, expressed their condolences over the loss of both brothers, joining the chorus of condolences from football accounts such as Versus, Rising Stars, and the Portuguese Football Federation[1][2]. Tennis legend Rafael Nadal also expressed his condolences for the loss of Diogo Jota and André Silva.
André Silva's career, though brief, was marked by promise and potential. His death is a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictable nature of sport. He will be remembered as a promising domestic footballer with a close bond to his famous brother.
**Summary:**
| Name | André Silva | |----------------|--------------------------------------| | Relationship | Brother of Diogo Jota | | Age at death | 25 | | Position | Attacking Midfielder | | Clubs played | FC Penafiel (Portuguese second tier)| | Career start | Youth at Gondomar SC, then FC Porto | | Death details | Died in car crash in Zamora, Spain, 2025 alongside Diogo Jota | | Legacy | Recognized as a promising domestic footballer with a close bond to his famous brother |
References: [1] BBC Sport. (2025). André Silva and Diogo Jota die in car crash. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59912397 [2] The Guardian. (2025). André Silva and Diogo Jota killed in car crash. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/03/andre-silva-and-diogo-jota-killed-in-car-crash [3] Sky Sports. (2025). André Silva and Diogo Jota: Tributes pour in after tragic deaths. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12353404/andre-silva-and-diogo-jota-tributes-pour-in-after-tragic-deaths [4] A Bola. (2025). André Silva e Diogo Jota falecem em acidente de carro. [online] Available at: https://abola.pt/2025/07/03/andre-silva-e-diogo-jota-falecem-em-acidente-de-carro/
- The shocking car crash on July 3, 2025, that claimed the lives of footballers André Silva and his brother Diogo Jota, is currently trending in European leagues, as well as general news and crime & justice segments.
- Apart from football news, the recent tragic deaths of André Silva, an attacking midfielder who began his career at Gondomar SC and later joined FC Porto, and his brother Diogo Jota, a star player for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, have also been reported in sports, accident, and European leagues categories.
- The Premier League joined sports outlets in expressing their condolences over the death of Diogo Jota, recalling the instants of his illustrious career, while domestic news channels focused on André Silva's untimely demise, emphasizing his promise as a promising football talent and his strong bond with his famous brother.
