MadridPolice confirmed Thursday that Diogo Jota, a player for Liverpool, and his brother were died in a car accident in Spain after their Lamborghini went off the road and caught fire.
Jota, 28, and his brother, Andr Silva, 25, were discovered dead close to the northwest city of Zamora, according to confirmation from the Spanish Civil Guard given to The Associated Press.
After midnight local time, the accident happened. According to the police, forensic analysis was being done on the remains, and they were looking into the causes.
Police say the only people in the car were Portuguese soccer stars Jota and Silva.
Although the driver’s identity was not immediately apparent, authorities have been investigating the likelihood that the tragedy occurred as a result of a blown tire during the car’s attempt to pass another vehicle.
About an hour west of Zamora, the brothers were traveling east on a remote section of highway when the collision occurred.
According to Spanish government official Ngel Blanco, they perished inside the burning automobile.
Video footage of the crash’s aftermath has been released by Spanish media. The burned-out car is visible from a few meters away, and tire marks can be seen deviating off the road into broken guardrails.
Authorities reported that as the crash’s flames extended into the surrounding foliage, firefighters were called in.
Jota passed only a few weeks after he married Rute Cardoso and wrote, “Yes to forever,” in a social media post. The youngest of their three children was born last year.
In addition, Jota was a member of Portugal’s national team, who won the Nations League last month.
Silva played in the lower leagues for the Portuguese team Penafiel.
Liverpool announced that the awful death has crushed the team.
As they attempt to cope with an unfathomable loss, Liverpool FC will not be commenting further at this time and asks that the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s friends, family, teammates, and club employees be respected. We shall remain fully committed to supporting them.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, and the Merseyside team won three major trophies, including the Premier League title the previous season.
In a statement, the Portuguese soccer federation expressed regret for the fatalities. According to Pedro Proen, head of the federation, Portuguese soccer was in ruins.
In addition to being an outstanding footballer who made nearly 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was a remarkable individual who was well-liked by both opponents and teammates. According to Proena’s statement, he was a role model in his neighborhood and exuded infectious enthusiasm.
Prior to Thursday’s Portugal vs. Spain match at the Women’s European Championship in Switzerland, the Portuguese federation announced that it had asked for a minute of silence.
According to Proena, we lost two champions. “We will all try our hardest to uphold their legacy every day because their deaths mark an irreversible loss for Portuguese soccer.
Lus Montenegro, the prime minister of Portugal, made a statement over the untimely and unfortunate deaths. According to him, Jota was an athlete who did a great deal to uphold Portugal’s reputation.
“I offer their family my sincerest condolences,” he said. For soccer as well as for national and international sports, today is a depressing day.
Keir Starmer, the prime minister of Britain, discussed the heartbreaking news.
Our first thoughts will be with his family and friends in particular, he continued, and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that. “This will shock millions of Liverpool supporters as well as football enthusiasts and non-fans. It is heartbreaking, and it is crucial that we remember how trying this time will be for his family and friends.
Additionally, reactions began to come in from all around the world, including from non-soccer stars like tennis icon Rafael Nadal and NBA star Lebron James, who is a minority owner at Liverpool.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s Portugal teammate, stated that it is illogical. We were on the same national team just now, and you recently got married. I send my sympathies to your wife, kids, and entire family. I hope they have every ounce of strength possible. You will always be with them, I’m sure of it. Diogo and Andr, may you rest in peace. All of us will miss you.
Along with other clubs, federations, and leagues, former teammates and the club Porto expressed their sorrow and sympathies for the deaths.
The Premier League expressed its shock and sadness.
At this tragic moment, we send our deepest sympathies to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all of their followers, the statement read. A champion in football has passed away and will always be missed. We’re going to keep helping our friends and coworkers at the club.
UEFA expressed its condolences to the friends, family, and teammates impacted by this tragic loss. It stated that there will be a moment of silence for Thursday and Friday’s Euro 2025 matches.
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This report was written by James Robson, an AP Soccer Writer.
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https://apnews.com/hub/soccer AP soccer
