Diogo Jota, a 28‑year‑old Liverpool and Portugal forward, tragically passed away in a car accident in Spain on July 3, alongside his 26‑year‑old brother André Silva.
The crash occurred on the A‑52 highway near Zamora after a tyre burst caused their Lamborghini to veer off the road and ignite.
Just ten days prior, Jota married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, on June 22 in a joyful ceremony attended by their three young children.
Their final Instagram moment came in the form of a heartfelt wedding video captioned “A day we will never forget” — a post shared only hours before the tragedy.
Both brothers were confirmed dead at the scene by emergency services. Spanish authorities say a tyre blew out while overtaking at around 00:30 local time, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.
Jota and André were pronounced deceased by the Civil Guard and medical teams.
Jota’s sudden death has sent shockwaves through the global football community. Liverpool FC, the Portuguese Football Federation, and national leaders have expressed deep sorrow. Tributes from teammates and fans—among them Cristiano Ronaldo and prominent football commentators—have flooded social media.
The couple leaves behind three children: sons Dinis and Duarte, born in 2021 and 2023, and their youngest, born in November 2024.
Rute Cardoso, now widowed, is reportedly focused on her family and caregiving responsibilities in the wake of this immense loss.
This heartbreaking incident underscores life’s unpredictability: from celebrating “forever” to unthinkable loss within days. Fans around the world are mourning the loss of a gifted athlete and loving father.
