Heartbreaking news has emerged from northwestern Spain, where Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre lost their lives in a tragic car crash early Thursday morning.
According to police reports, their car veered off the motorway near Cernadilla in Zamora province and caught fire shortly after midnight. Authorities believe a tyre blowout may have caused the vehicle to lose control while overtaking.
Diogo, just 28, had recently celebrated a new chapter in life. On June 22, he married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso. The couple, parents to three children, had shared a glimpse of their joyful wedding day on social media just hours before the accident.
Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenca shared his grief online, describing Jota as a remarkable individual, full of life, and admired both on and off the pitch. He called the loss “devastating” and announced that a minute of silence would be observed before Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 match against Spain in Switzerland.
“We’ve lost two champions,” he wrote. “Their absence is deeply felt, and their memory will guide us in the days ahead.”
Jota, known for his time at clubs like Porto, Atletico Madrid, Wolves, and most recently Liverpool, had a strong season — netting nine goals as Liverpool claimed their 20th Premier League title.
Now, instead of celebrating his achievements, the football world mourns a life and legacy cut far too short.
