By Christian Abbott
Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28 following a car crash, according to a local report in Spain. He was travelling with his brother, Andr茅 Silva, when their Lamborghini crashed as they drove through northern Spain. The pair were heading to the UK by ferry after Diogo received advice from doctors to avoid flying following a surgery, the Daily Mail reports. Read more: Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies aged 28 just days after footballer’s wedding CNN Portugal’s sports editor Rui Laura said today live on air: “The surgery he had was lung surgery and he had been advised against flying following this. “He was on his way to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to cross by ferry and reach the UK that way and carry on with the car once he reached Britain. He was on his way to Liverpool with his brother.” Portuguese journalist Victor Pinto told Portugal’s CMTV channel: “Diogo Jota sometimes chose to travel by road because he had some pulmonary discomfort, nothing serious, and as we know, there is a ferry boat that connects the south of England to Spain.” The 28-year-old was killed in a crash near Zamora alongside his brother Andre Silva, 26, also a professional footballer, according to the Spanish news agency EFE. Just two weeks prior to the Thursday night crash, the Liverpool forward tied the knot with Rute Cardoso. They had been in a relationship since 2012 before Jota proposed in July 2022. Sharing images of the wedding online, the former Liverpool forward said: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.” The pair have three children together. Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, has paid tribute to the footballer. He said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andr茅 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 Andr茅 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. “Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy.”