UEFA announces tributes for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva following deadly car accident in Spain.
Football world mourns Diogo Jota and brother André Silva after fatal crash in Spain
The football community is in shock following the tragic deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva, a professional footballer with Penafiel, after a fatal car accident in Spain.
The brothers were travelling along the A-52 motorway in the Zamora province when their vehicle reportedly suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, veering off the road and catching fire, according to Daily Mail reports.
Spanish outlet Marca first broke the news shortly before 9am GMT, with confirmation quickly following from UK media. Liverpool FC officially confirmed Jota’s passing in a club statement released on Thursday morning.
Tributes flood in from across the football world
Messages of condolence have poured in from across the globe. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered his heartfelt sympathies, while Cristiano Ronaldo posted an emotional tribute on social media.
UEFA has since confirmed that a minute’s silence will be held in memory of Diogo Jota and André Silva before each fixture of the Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers today and tomorrow. One of those matches sees Portugal take on world champions Spain in Bern tonight.
Remembering Diogo Jota and André Silva
Jota, 28, was instrumental in Liverpool’s Premier League campaign earlier this year and played a key role in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League triumph just last month. Since joining Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and helped the club secure multiple major honours.
He recently married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso and leaves behind three young children.
André Silva, 25, came through the FC Porto youth system and built a professional career with clubs including Gondomar and Penafiel.
All of us at sports bulletin are profoundly saddened by their untimely passing and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones.
