Keypoints:
- Diogo Jota and his brother died after their Lamborghini crashed and caught fire on Spain’s A‑52 motorway
- Tyre burst caused the car to veer off-road during overtaking; both were pronounced dead at the scene
- Tributes from Liverpool FC, Portugal’s PM, and UEFA; a minute’s silence is planned in Jota’s honour
LIVERPOOL forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 25, died in a devastating car crash in northern Spain on July 3, 2025. The two were travelling in a Lamborghini which burst into flames following a tyre blowout during an overtaking attempt on the A‑52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora.
Spanish emergency services confirmed that both brothers were killed instantly and found deceased inside the wreckage. Local reports indicated the luxury vehicle veered off-road and ignited, leaving behind charred remains.
Joy turned to grief
Just days before the tragedy, Jota had married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in a private ceremony on June 22. The couple shared three children. His younger brother, André Silva, a professional footballer for Portuguese second division side Penafiel, had been visiting family in Spain when the crash occurred.
Spanish authorities stated that no other vehicles were involved, and the cause of the crash is believed to be a sudd
en tyre blowout while overtaking. An autopsy has been ordered to confirm details surrounding their deaths.
Jota’s legacy on and off the pitch
Born in Porto, Portugal, Jota rose through the ranks of Paços de Ferreira before stints at Atlético Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 2020, he joined Liverpool in a deal reportedly worth up to £45 million.
Jota quickly became a key part of the Liverpool squad under Jürgen Klopp, netting 65 goals in 182 appearances. He helped secure silverware including the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup titles. Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal and was part of the team that won the UEFA Nations League earlier this year.
His brother André, also a product of Porto’s youth system, had recently joined Penafiel, showing promise as an attacking midfielder.
Tributes pour in for fallen stars
Liverpool FC said the club was ‘devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother’ and extended its condolences to both families. The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that a minute’s silence would be held before all domestic fixtures this weekend, as well as du
ring UEFA Women’s Euro qualifiers.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also paid tribute, calling their deaths ‘a painful and unexpected tragedy for the nation’.
UEFA, Premier League clubs, and football personalities including Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, and Alan Shearer shared condolences. Tributes also poured in from former teammates, fans, and fellow professionals worldwide.
