MADRID (AP) — Tragedy struck when Diogo Jota, a player for Liverpool FC, and his brother, André Silva, died in a car accident in Spain. The vehicle, a Lamborghini, lost control and caught fire near Zamora, according to local authorities.
Police revealed that no other vehicles were involved, and they are investigating the crash. It is possible a blown tire contributed to the incident. Firefighters responded as flames spread to nearby vegetation.
Jota, 28, had recently married Rute Cardoso and was a proud father of three, with the youngest born just last year. He also represented Portugal on the national team, recently helping them secure victory in the Nations League. André, 25, played for the lower-division club Penafiel.
Liverpool FC expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In their statement, they requested privacy for Jota’s family and friends during this difficult time. “We will continue to support them fully,” the club said.
Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese soccer federation, shared his heartbreak. “Diogo Jota was not just a fantastic player but a great person, respected by all,” he said. The federation plans to honor the brothers with a moment of silence during a match between Portugal and Spain at the Women’s European Championship.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro extended his condolences, noting how Jota represented Portugal with honor. “It’s a sad day for soccer,” he stated.
Social media was flooded with tributes from various athletes, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who expressed disbelief and sadness. “Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you,” he wrote.
The Premier League and UEFA also shared their condolences, reflecting on the profound loss felt across the sports community. UEFA announced that moments of silence would be held at upcoming Euro 2025 matches.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. It’s more than just the loss of talented players; it’s the impact on families, friends, and communities. In moments like these, the world of sports comes together, united in mourning.
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Diogo Jota, Andre Silva, Spain, Soccer, Liverpool FC, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal, Portugal, General news, Sports – Europe, Sports, Pedro Proena, Associated Press, LeBron James, World news, World News