Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a tragic car accident along with his brother Andre, according to local reports in Spain.
The 28-year-old Portuguese forward died in a crash near Zamora, in northwestern Spain, according to the Spanish news agency EFE.
The agency reports his brother, Andre (26), was also killed in the crash early on Thursday morning in a traffic accident on the Rias Bajas Highway near Palacios de Sanabria.
The news comes just days after the Portugal international got married to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso, with whom he has two children.
PORTUGUESE FOOTBALL FEDERATION MOURNS DEATHS
Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, has since confirmed that both Jota brothers perished in the accident.
He said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.
“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.
“The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy.”
HOW AND WHERE LIVERPOOL ACE DIOGO JOTA AND BROTHER PASSED
Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash with a statement which read: “A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire.
“The Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center were all notified of the accident.
“From there, a Medical Emergency Unit and the Primary Care Medical Staff from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”
Jota signed for Liverpool in September 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of more than £40million.
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