Liverpool and Portugal Striker Diogo Jota Dies in Spain Crash at 28

Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, a key striker for Liverpool and the national team, was killed early Thursday in a car accident near Zamora, northern Spain. His younger brother, André Silva, 25, also died when their vehicle left the road and caught fire, local media reported. Jota was 28.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and became a pivotal figure under successive managers, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists in 182 appearances for the club. His honours with the Reds include the 2025 Premier League title—Liverpool’s 20th—along with the 2022 FA Cup and League Cup victories in 2022 and 2024. Internationally, he helped Portugal win two editions of the UEFA Nations League.

Across all clubs, the forward made 398 professional appearances and scored 136 goals. His final strike came on 2 April 2025, a 57th-minute winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby that secured a 1–0 victory and kept Liverpool on course for their league triumph.

The Portuguese Football Federation, Liverpool, Porto and Wolverhampton were among those expressing condolences, while fans left flowers and messages outside Anfield’s Hillsborough Memorial. Jota, who married in June, is survived by his wife and three children.