By Jabali Digital
Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota is dead.
He died in a car crash alongside his brother Andre in Spain, near the border of Portugal on Thursday, the club confirmed, stating that the news was “devastating.”
“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre,” the Reds said in a statement.
25-year-old Andre was also a footballer, featuring for Penafiel in Portuguese 2nd league.
“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 as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”
The Premier League champions promised to continue providing Jota’s family “with our full support.”
A Spanish police statement said Jota’s car – a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre burst while overtaking. It then caught fire.
“The accident happened in the municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora at around 00:30 local time. Two people died.”
Footballers and clubs have been united by the tragic loss, taking to social media to share condolence messages.
Here is a sample:
Christiano Ronaldo: “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together with the national team; you had just gotten married to your wife.
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. We will all miss you.
FC Porto: We’re destroyed. We’re in shock.
David de Gea: Sometimes life is really cruel.
Pepe: I just got the news about Diogo. I can’t believe it. I’m devastated.
Portuguese Football Federation: We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football; we will do everything to honour their legacy every day.
Rúben Neves: They say you only lose people when you forget about them. I'll never forget you.
Jota’s death came within two weeks, after his wedding. He is survived by his wife and three children.
He joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves.