Diogo Jota of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during their English Premier League match against Everton in Liverpool on 2 April 2025. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Adam Vaughan) 
Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, 28, died in a fiery car crash near Zamora in northwestern Spain with his brother, a Spanish state-owned TV station TVE said on Thursday, 3 July 2025, citing local firefighters.
The police told Reuters everything pointed to that information being correct, although they could not yet officially confirm the names.
The regional fire department of Castille-Leon, where Zamora is located, said on its website that a car crashed shortly after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames, with two men, aged 28 and 26, found dead.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/12887644.jpg "Diogo Jota of Liverpool during their Uefa Champions League Round of 16, second leg soccer match against Paris Saint-Germain, in Liverpool, on 11 March 2025. (EPA-EFE / Adam Vaughan)")
Jota, who got married on 28 June, helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit.
Jota arrived at Anfield from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club in all competitions.
He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the Uefa Nations League.
Reaction:
Portugal Prime Minister Luis Montenegro
“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”
Portuguese Football Federation
“The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.
“Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community...
“We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”
FC Porto
“FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks.
“Rest in peace.” Reuters/DM
This is a developing story…