By Mark Whiley
Diogo Jota said an emotional goodbye to his 鈥渂est friend鈥 in the Liverpool squad before the striker鈥檚 tragic death in a car crash. The football world is in mourning after Jota, 28, passed away along with his brother, Andre Silva, 26, in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Spanish Civil Guard said the siblings were found dead after their car went off a road near the city of Zamora. Liverpool said the club was 鈥渄evastated鈥 by the news and that it was an 鈥渦nimaginable loss鈥. The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 鈥渄evastated鈥 to learn of the pair鈥檚 deaths, adding: 鈥淭heir deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.鈥 Police said no other vehicles were involved in the incident and believe the crash was caused by a tyre blowout while overtaking. Jota was part of Liverpool鈥檚 Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He was a popular player among his team-mates and the club鈥檚 fans. He struck up a particularly close bond with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher , who sealed an 拢18million move to Brentford earlier this summer. Jota was sad to see the Irishman leave Anfield, posting a picture of the pair on Instagram with the Premier League trophy. He captioned the picture: 鈥淎ll the best my friend! You鈥檒l be missed,鈥 with a raised-hands celebration emoji. Previously quizzed on who his best friend in the squad was, Jota, revealed in 2024: 鈥淣owadays I would say Caoimhin. There have been a few departing the squad. 鈥淲e play a quiz game, we play each other. There is one on the match day program. It is a good way to start the match day action.鈥 Liverpool issued the following statement after Jota’s death was confirmed: 鈥淟iverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre. 鈥淟iverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre鈥檚 family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.鈥 The Portuguese national team said in a statement: 鈥淒iogo 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.鈥 Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in Portugal on June 22, just 11 days before the accident. The couple had three children together.