Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes, a former teammate of Jota’s with Portugal’s national team, joined the wider soccer community in paying tribute to the forward and his brother.
“Friend, teammate and companion of a thousand battles,” he wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories. “It is difficult to understand how it is possible that someone can leave so soon.
“May you and your brother find the peace you need to watch over your loved ones who have lost you too soon and suddenly. My condolences to all of your family.”
Diogo Jota scored 65 goals during his five years at Liverpool, but that is not the only reason why he is so well-loved.
The Portuguese forward also enjoyed a strong relationship with the Liverpool supporters, who will remember him for his playful antics and his willingness to reach out to young fans.
Four years ago, Jota contacted one fan who had been admitted to the hospital with a message of support.
“Hello, Liam. I believe you are not having an easy time right now, so I just wanted to get in touch to say you have the support of everyone at Liverpool, just as you have always supported us,” he said in a video sent to the fan’s father.
“Take care of yourself, and hopefully we will see you back at Anfield before too long.”
Following the final day of the 2024/25 season, with Liverpool having been crowned Premier League champion, Jota sent a video message to supporters attending BOSS Kids, an event organized for young fans to celebrate the historic season – much to the delight of those in attendance, who loudly cheered his appearance on screen.
The message was to say thank you for Jota’s song being voted the fans’ favorite chant sung at Anfield, and it is likely that it will get a rousing rendition at Liverpool’s first match of next season against Bournemouth on August 15.
Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish says “football is not important” in the face of such a “devastating loss” as he paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva.
“Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children,” he wrote on X on Thursday. “Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre. YNWA.”
News of the death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva has sent shockwaves through soccer, and through the brothers’ home country of Portugal.
“The country basically woke up in shock. The football world in Portugal woke up in shock,” Luis Pedro Ferreira, editor in chief of Portuguese sports newspaper A BOLA told CNN’s Amanda Davies.
Ferreira said that the platitudes pouring in for the 28-year-old soccer star are not overstatements.
“He was truly an expert, an inspiration and example,” Ferreira explained.
“He was someone that basically came through the ranks … his training, his formation years, were not in one of the big clubs. So he really defied the odds. And that’s why people, I think, are more emotionally attached to that.”
Usually, Ferreira explained, “unfortunately, if you don’t do your training in one of the big clubs.. you very little chance to reach the top. And he did that,” Ferreira said, adding that Jota, like many players in Portugal, came from a working class family.
“He had to make his way through the National League, through the national system, until he arrived.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino says he is “deeply saddened” by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva.
“Aged just 28, Diogo had enjoyed a fantastic career to date and had many great years ahead of him, while his brother André was thriving at FC Penafiel,” he wrote in a statement on X. “They will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community.”
“May they rest in peace.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Aged just 28, Diogo had enjoyed a fantastic career to date and had many great years ahead of him, while his brother André was thriving at FC Penafiel -…
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 3, 2025
Prince William says he is “deeply saddened” by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother.
“As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother,” the Prince of Wales wrote on X. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him @LFC @Wolves. W”
The crash that killed Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva is being investigated as “a possible speeding incident,” a source from the Government Sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed to the PA news agency.
Spain’s Guardia Civil told CNN the crash was caused by a “burst tire while overtaking” in the early hours of Thursday morning. The vehicle – reported by Spanish media to have been a Lamborghini – caught fire following the accident, which occurred around 00:30 local time.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who signed Diogo Jota for the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, has offered his condolences in a post on Instagram.
“This is a moment where I struggle!” wrote Klopp. “There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother André,” he continued. “Diogo was (not only) a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!
“All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute (Jota’s widow), the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace – Love J.”
During his time on Merseyside, Jota became one of Klopp’s most important attacking players. Despite joining one of the best frontlines in the world – Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino – the Portugal international managed to prove himself and scored 56 goals while playing under the German manager.
Mexico striker Raúl Jiménez, who spent two seasons between 2018 and 2020 as Jota’s strike partner at Wolverhampton Wanderers, also offered a tribute to his former teammate.
“It is difficult to receive this type of news and go on without being able to believe it,” Jiménez wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories. “An excellent teammate, friend and especially a great father. Thanks for everything my friend, we will always remember you. A hug towards the sky. Rest in peace.”
The car crash: An accident which claimed the lives of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva was caused by a “burst tire while overtaking” in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, according to Spain’s Guardia Civil. The accident caused a fire, and both occupants of the car – reported by Spanish media to be a Lamborghini – died.
Where: The accident took place in Cernadilla, Zamora, northwestern Spain, at 00:30 a.m. local time.
Who: The Guardia Civil confirmed that both Diogo and André died in the crash, but did not say who was driving.
The 28-year-old Jota was an attacker who played an important role in Liverpool’s recent Premier League title-winning season, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances. He won three major trophies with the Reds and two UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal. He was a father of three, and recently married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, a little under two weeks ago on June 22.
Like Jota, brother André Silva was also a professional soccer player, most recently with Futebol Clube de Penafiel in the Liga Portugal 2, the country’s second division. He played as an attacking midfielder and forward, contributing two goals and five assists in the 2024/25 season as Penafiel finished in 11th place.
Diogo Jota’s younger brother, André Silva, also died in the car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Like Jota, André was a professional soccer player, most recently with Futebol Clube de Penafiel in the Liga Portugal 2, the country’s second division. He played as an attacking midfielder and forward, contributing two goals and five assists in the 2024/25 season as Penafiel finished in 11th place.
The 26-year-old began his youth career with Gondomar in 2011, the same club Jota joined in 2009. André would go on to enjoy spells at various clubs, playing youth soccer at Porto, Padroense, Paços de Ferreira, Famalicão and Boavista. In total, he provided 12 goals and 10 assists in 105 matches.
We’re starting to hear reaction from Diogo Jota’s former Liverpool teammates, with fellow forward Darwin Núñez one of the first to offer his condolences.
“There are no words of comfort for so much pain,” the Uruguayan wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of himself and Jota celebrating a goal together. “I will always remember you by your smile, as a good teammate on and off the pitch.
“I send all my strength to his family, wherever he is I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and three children. RIP Diogo and André.”
Midfielder Stefan Bajčetić also paid tribute to Jota on Instagram, writing: “You will be remembered my friend.”
Wolverhampton Wanderers say they are “heartbroken” by the death of former player Diogo Jota, remembering him as “adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves.”
“The memories he created will never be forgotten,” the club posted on X.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre,” it added. “You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who’s a keen soccer fan, has described the death of Diogo Jota as “devastating.”
“I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular,” he told reporters in east London Thursday morning, PA Media reported. “But there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.”
He added that “it is really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.”
The death of Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota will strike a chord with many of the city’s passionate football fans, who have often had to juggle tragedy and loss along with the club’s big wins – the most recent being a historic Premier League title secured just months ago.
Liverpool is the most decorated soccer team in England, but two disasters over the span of four years in the 1980s profoundly impacted both the city and the club.
It’s now been 40 years since the Heysel Disaster on May 29, 1985, in Brussels, Belgium, when Liverpool faced Italian side Juventus in the European Cup final. A stampede of Liverpool fans into a stand containing mostly Juventus supporters and the collapse of a retaining wall led to the death of 39 fans and left 600 injured.
Only four years later, on April 15, 1989, Liverpool was playing Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semifinal at Hillsborough Stadium when overcrowded standing room only sections, or “pens”, of the stands led to the death of 97 Liverpool supporters.
It’s the worst ever sports disaster in British history, according to the BBC.
More recently, the celebration for the Reds’ 2025 Premier League title win was plunged into chaos after a van plowed into a crowd on Water Street in May.
The crash left 79 people injured, including four children, with four individuals trapped under the car needing rescuing. The police quickly released the information that the suspect was a 53-year-old White British man from the Liverpool area, and they were not treating the incident as terrorism.
Historically, supporters have banded together in the face of disaster. Liverpool is a city with a strong sense of self and community; Scousers protect each other, and the club’s motto, after all, is “You’ll never walk alone.”
Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez was the first of Jota’s teammates at Anfield to offer his condolences.
“There are no words of comfort for so much pain,” the Uruguayan wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of himself and Jota celebrating a goal together. “I will always remember you by your smile, as a good teammate on and off the pitch.”
Premier League clubs have begun sharing their condolences on social media following the death of Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain.
Manchester United: “Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today’s heartbreaking news.”
Everton: “Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.”
Manchester City: “Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to learn about the devastating news regarding the passing of Diogo Jota. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Diogo.”
Arsenal: “The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are with Diogo’s family, friends and all associated with Liverpool Football Club. Rest in peace, Diogo.”
Chelsea: “Everyone at Chelsea FC is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre. Our thoughts go out to their family, friends and all at Liverpool FC at this incredibly difficult time.”
Tottenham Hotspur: “Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Diogo Jota. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and all at Liverpool Football Club at this incredibly difficult time.”
The Premier League and England’s Football Association (FA) say they are “devastated” by the death of Diogo Jota.
“Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed,” the Premier League said in a statement on X. “Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time.”
The FA said it was “devastated” by the news, offering its “deepest condolences” to Jota’s family, friends and team-mates at Liverpool and Portugal.
Diogo Jota – who was killed in a car crash on Thursday – married his long term partner, 28-year-old Rute Cardoso, just 11 days ago on June 22.
Along with photos posted to both Jota’s and Cardoso’s Instagram accounts, the soccer star posted a video Wednesday capturing the day, titled “A day we’ll never forget.”
The pair share three children: two sons and a daughter.
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has said the death of Diogo Jota “does not make sense” and sent his condolences to Jota’s family.
“We were only just together in the national team, you had only just got married. I send my condolences and all the strength in the world to your family, to your wife and to your children,” the Portuguese forward said in a statement on X.
Ronaldo played with Jota in the national team since Jota made his international debut for the Seleção in 2019.
Fans have begun laying flowers and messages of tribute to Diogo Jota after the news broke this morning.
One message, reading “The lad from Portugal,” referenced the Anfield crowd’s song for the forward, who spent five seasons on Merseyside following his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020.
Jota was an extremely popular figure among Liverpool fans, known for his crucial goals on the pitch and his playful attitude off it.
