By David Crowe
London: Football champions and political leaders have led the stunned reaction to the sudden death of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota in a fiery car crash in northern Spain less than two weeks after he married his long-term partner.
The Portuguese champion was driving with his brother, Andre Silva, when a tyre blew out on their Lamborghini, forcing it off the road. Their vehicle became engulfed in flames and the two men died at the scene.
Photographs and footage published in Spanish media showed a burnt and destroyed Lamborghini by the side of the highway.
The London Telegraph reported that Jota had been told to drive 10 hours to a Spanish ferry rather than fly to the UK. It said Jota had been given medical advice to avoid taking a plane back for training, but that it was unclear where he was given that advice.
Thousands of fans gathered at the Liverpool club’s home ground, Anfield Stadium, as champions expressed their shock at the news.
“It doesn’t make sense,” said Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo on social media.
“Just now we were together in the national team, and you had just got married.
The wreckage of the Lamborghini at the crash site.Credit: Getty Images
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them.”
Jota, 28, began playing for his country as a teenager and represented Portugal at the 2022 World Cup, after making his mark in Britain with the Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He signed with Liverpool for a reported £41 million ($85 million) in 2020 and was a star forward in the club’s victory in the Premier League this year.
Silva, 26, was a professional footballer for Portuguese team Penafiel.
In an outpouring of acclaim and grief, the news triggered statements on social media from tennis champion Rafael Nadal, former Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp, basketballer LeBron James – a minority owner of Liverpool FC – and football legend David Beckham.
“Devastating to hear this such sad news,” Beckham, the former England captain, wrote on social media.
“Sending love to Diogo & Andre’s families.”
The wreckage of the Lamborghini, which crashed in northern Spain.Credit: Image via CNN
The Prince of Wales – who is the patron of the Football Association – expressed his condolences.
“As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother,” Prince William said. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
Players from Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain marked the passing of the brothers with moments of silence while competing in the US for the Club World Cup.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said millions of football fans would be shocked at the news, while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner laid flowers in Liverpool to pay tribute to the local star.
Liverpool FC said the club was devastated at the tragic news.
“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre,” it said.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’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.”
The Portuguese Football Federation said Jota was “more than a fantastic player” with almost 50 caps for the national team.
“Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself,” it said in a statement.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said Jota had “greatly honoured Portugal’s name”.
“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic,” he said.
The screen displays an image of Diogo Jota, as the Spanish and Portuguese women’s teams pause for a moment of silence before their game in Bern, Switzerland, on Thursday.Credit: Getty Images
Spain’s Guardia Civil confirmed the two deaths in a statement shortly before 7pm AEST.
“The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking,” it said.
“It was in the early hours ... in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.”
The site of the car accident in which Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother died in Zamora, in north-west Spain.Credit: AP
The statement said the accident occurred soon after midnight, local time – about 10am AEST on Thursday.
Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in a church ceremony on June 22, with their three children joining them.
Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League in May, and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Reds.
Tributes are laid for Liverpool player Diogo Jota at Anfield on Thursday in Liverpool, England. Credit: Getty Images
He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions. He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League.
UEFA announced a minute’s silence would be held before all matches at the Women’s Euro 2025 on Thursday and Friday. Portugal were due to play Spain in their opening fixture on Friday morning (AEDT).
With Reuters, AP
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