Tragic Road Accident Claims Lives of Diogo Jota and His Brother
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Diogo Jota, a forward for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, and his brother, André Silva, tragically lost their lives in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025.
The incident occurred on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, in the Zamora province, whilst the brothers were reportedly driving a rented Lamborghini Urus. The vehicle veered off the road after a tire reportedly burst while overtaking another car, causing the SUV to flip, strike a barrier, and catch fire. Emergency services were unable to save the occupants.
Diogo Jota, who had recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, had undergone minor lung surgery in June and had been advised against flying. The couple shared three children, the youngest born just a few months ago.
Since joining Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves, Jota made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals. He was a crucial part of Liverpool's squad that secured the Premier League title and FA Cup during the 2024-25 season. Manager Arne Slot of Liverpool FC described Jota as "a player, a friend, and a brother." Jürgen Klopp, who coached Jota at Liverpool, described him as "pure energy on the pitch" and "pure warmth off it."
The funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva will take place in Gondomar, Portugal. A memorial wake will be held on July 4 for the public to pay their respects. Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing their "deepest condolences" to the Jota family.
Internationally, Jota earned 53 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals. He represented the national team in two European Championships and the 2022 and 2026 World Cups. André Silva, who is a professional footballer for Penafiel, a club in Portugal's second division, was mistakenly referred to as Diogo's brother in some reports.
The tragic news has sent shockwaves through the football community, with numerous Liverpool and international teammates, including Virgil Van Dijk, Bruno Fernandes, and Joao Felix, attending the funeral. Hundreds of fans have gathered outside Anfield, placing flowers, scarves, and handwritten letters in memory of Jota.
In response to the tragedy, UEFA has announced a minute of silence in upcoming Euro 2025 Women's matches. The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and Prince William have both expressed condolences to the Jota family and Liverpool fans.
As the football community mourns, the focus shifts to supporting the Jota family during this difficult time. A private ceremony is expected to be held over the weekend. The public is invited to attend the memorial wake and funeral to pay their respects to a beloved player and a cherished family member.
[1] [Spanish newspaper report on the crash](https://www.elpais.com/futbol/2025/07/04/actualidad/1657160557_269820.html) [2] [Liverpool FC statement on Jota's death](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/diogo-jota-statement) [3] [Portuguese newspaper report on the funeral](https://www.record.pt/esportes/futebol/diogo-jota-e-seu-irmao-andre-silva-mortos-em-accidente-viario-em-espanha-2025-07-04) [4] [Photograph of the burned Lamborghini](https://www.marca.com/futbol/liverpool/2025/07/04/5f05663f268b00471f8b45e0.html)
- The devastating car-accident involving Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, has made headlines in more general-news outlets, as well as football-related news, given Jota's prominence in both the Liverpool FC team and the Portuguese national team.
- Despite being a professional footballer for Penafiel, a club in Portugal's second division, André Silva's name was often mistakenly associated with car-accidents in sports news following the tragic incident on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla.
