Liverpool Forward Diogo Jota Dies in Spanish Car Crash at 28

Liverpool and Portugal striker Diogo Jota died early Thursday in a car accident on Spain’s A-52 motorway near Zamora, Spanish police said. His brother, André Silva, a forward for Penafiel, was also killed. Investigators believe a blown tyre caused the Lamborghini they were travelling in to leave the carriageway and burst into flames; both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Jota, 28, joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for about £44.7 million and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances. He lifted the Premier League title in May, adding to an FA Cup and two League Cups with the club, and helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League last month. The forward had married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, 11 days before the crash and leaves three children.

Liverpool said it was “devastated” by the loss, lowered flags at Anfield to half-mast and asked for privacy for the family. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the stadium with flowers, scarves and messages, while tributes poured in from teammates, rival clubs and political leaders. FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the deaths “beyond words” and requested a minute’s silence before upcoming Club World Cup fixtures.