Key Takeaways
- Liverpool star Diogo Jota tragically passed away in a car accident at just 28 years of age.
- The Portuguese international leaves behind three children and his wife, whom he just tied the knot with on June 22.
- The entire soccer world is mourning this loss, with boatloads of clubs and players paying their respects.
Diogo Jota of Liverpool arrives at the stadium (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
The soccer world was shaken on Thursday morning after the news that Liverpool star and Portuguese international Diogo Jota tragically passed away alongside his brother in a car accident. Jota, who won the Premier League, Nations League, and got married in the last two months, was just 28 years old.
Tributes have been pouring in from everywhere. Jota was one of the most exciting players in the Premier League and a staple in the Selecao starting XI alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. He still had so many quality years ahead of him in the beautiful game, and it’s truly shocking that Jota has died at such a young age. Jota’s Lamborghini veered off the road in Northern Spain. Andre Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer in the Portuguese second division.
Jota leaves behind three children and his wife, Rute Cardoso. They tied the knot on June 22 in a beautiful ceremony. From athletes to fellow English clubs, everyone is paying their respects to Jota after this horrendous turn of events.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s message to Jota was gut-wrenching in itself:
“It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you had only just got married,” Ronaldo posted on X.
LeBron James, who is a part-owner of Liverpool, also sent his best wishes to Jota’s family during this difficult time:
Here are a few more reactions to Jota’s death, with ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp even reacting to the news:
Of course, Liverpool also posted a statement:
"Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota," the club said in a statement.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and André's family, friends, teammates 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."
Reds boss Arne Slot released a lengthy statement as well. Here's part of it:
“All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about,” Slot said.
"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.
This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.
For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special."
The likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, and Al Nassr, among others, paid their respects:
Jota began his career in his home country of Portugal with Paços de Ferreira before they sold him to Atlético Madrid. However, he was quickly loaned out to FC Porto, where the winger made his mark. That led to a move to England with Wolverhampton, and Jota was an enormous bright spot at the Molineux, leading to a switch to Anfield in 2020.
During his time with Liverpool, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, playing a key part in helping them win it all in 2024-25 as he netted six times. His last goal for the club was fitting – in the Merseyside Derby against Everton. The Reds did a phenomenal job of developing Jota, as they've done with lots of players, such as Alexis Mac Allister.
When it comes to the national team, Jota made 49 appearances and was a second-half substitute in extra time in the Nations League final last month as Portugal beat Spain. Liverpool fans have been gathering outside Anfield to mourn the loss of Jota, who was expected to be an important part of their attack once again in 2025-26.
Rest in peace.
