Portuguese football woke up on Thursday plunged into deep shock. Diogo Jota, a 28-year-old international striker and one of the best-loved figures of the current generation, lost his life together with his brother, André Silva, 26, in a violent road accident in Spain.
The crash occurred at half past midnight, local time, on the A52 motorway, at kilometre 65, near Palacios de Sanabria, in the province of Zamora. According to the first information provided by the Guardia Civil, a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre may have been the cause of the accident. The car in which the two brothers were travelling caught fire, and none of the occupants survived.
Diogo Jota was in the midst of his playing career with Liverpool, the club he had represented since the 2020/21 season. On 22 June he had married Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. His brother, André Silva, was also a professional footballer, playing for Penafiel, in Portugal’s second division.
The news, first reported by the Spanish newspaper Marca, quickly sent a shockwave through the whole world of sport, with emotional reactions from clubs, managers, team-mates and thousands of fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the first to speak out publicly:
“It makes no sense. We were together with the national team only just now, you had only just got married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André.”
José Mourinho, in a message of condolence, described the accident as “a great tragedy and an immense injustice”.
Liverpool, where Jota was a regular starter and beloved by the fans, reacted in a devastated tone:
“We are devastated by the tragic news of the death of Diogo Jota.”
Other giants of European football, such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Milan, Inter, PSG, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, also expressed their condolences. Portuguese clubs such as Académica and Sporting da Covilhã, and even institutions such as the French Football Federation, joined in the grief.
Diogo Jota leaves a legacy both on and off the pitch. Remembered for decisive goals – such as the one scored against Croatia for the national team – and for exemplary conduct, he departs far too soon, alongside the brother with whom he shared not only blood, but the same dream.
