Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car accident at the age of 28, just days after marrying his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. His younger brother, Andre Jota, 26, also lost his life in the crash.
The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, in northwestern Spain, close to the Portuguese border.
Reports suggest the Lamborghini they were travelling in suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, veered off the road, rolled over, and caught fire.
Emergency services responded to the scene around 12:35 a.m., but both men were declared dead on arrival.
Jota, a key member of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning squad in the 2024/25 season, had recently celebrated his wedding on June 22 in Porto.
In what would become his final Instagram post just hours before the crash, Jota shared heartfelt footage from the ceremony, calling himself “the luckiest man in the world” to have married his childhood sweetheart.
The couple, who had been together since they were teenagers, have three children. Rute Cardoso had posted additional wedding photos on social media just a day before the accident, to which Jota lovingly responded in the comments.
The Portuguese Football Federation has confirmed the deaths and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Tributes have begun pouring in from the football world, including messages from Liverpool FC, Portugal’s national team, and fellow professionals.
Jota made 26 league appearances for Liverpool last season, netting six goals. He also played a pivotal role in Portugal’s recent UEFA Nations League triumph, scoring in the final against Spain during the tense penalty shootout.
Fans across Europe are mourning the sudden loss of the beloved forward, who was admired for his pace, versatility, and passion on the pitch.
