Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28.
Jota’s 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the accident. He was a footballer with Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.
Sky Sports News has received confirmation of Jota’s death from the Guardia Civil in Zamora where the accident took place.
They added in a statement that the accident happened at 12.30am local time (11.30pm BST) on the A-52 motorway in Cernadilla, Zamora.
The car left the road after bursting its tyre while overtaking before catching fire.
Jota had married his long-term partner less than two weeks ago, and has three children.
Porto, where both Jota and his brother had played, said: “Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
The Portuguese football association said in a statement: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva this morning in Spain.
“Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
courtesy skysports.com
