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Liverpool and Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother have passed away in a car crash. The fatal incident reportedly happened in Zamora, Spain, at about 12:30am
Jota, who recently got married to his long-time partner Rute Cardoso two weeks ago, died aged 28.
According to police reports in Spain, the accident occurred due to a tyre burst while overtaking. Unfortunately, the car left the road and went into flames immediately, and both occupants died as a result.
“A road accident occurred at 12.30am this morning at kilometre 65 of the A-52 motorway, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.
“A vehicle left the road and everything indicates a tyre burst while overtaking. As a result of the accident, the car caught fire and both people were killed.
“Pending the completion of forensic tests, one of the deceased has been identified as Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, and his brother, Andre Felipe.”
The Portuguese football federation have paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Here is the statement below:
“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain.
“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.
“The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
Liverpool Football Club have put out a statement confirming the news of Jota’s death:
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
We will continue to provide them with our full support.
Diogo Jota’s brother, André Silva, a 25-year-old, played for Penafiel in the Portuguese 2nd League.
