Diogo Jota dies in car crash: Lamborghini tyre burst, flames, and two bodies, here’s how the accident happened

Liverpool’s 28-year-old Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva died in a car crash early Thursday near Zamora in northwestern Spain, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed. Spanish authorities said the crash happened shortly after midnight, when their car veered off the road and caught fire.

Diogo Jota's Lamborghini burst into flames near Zamora

The regional fire department of Castile and León reported on its website that the car went off the road and burst into flames, killing both men, aged 28 and 26. A Spanish Civil Guard spokesperson confirmed to the AP that Jota and his brother were found dead in the vehicle near the western city of Zamora.

"Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking," the Civil Guard said in a statement.

“There were no other vehicles involved,” police added. Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

Portuguese Federation mourns

In a statement, the Portuguese Football Federation said, “We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”

Federation president Pedro Proença said, “More than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community.”

The federation also said it has requested a minute of silence before the Women’s European Championship match between Portugal and Spain on Thursday.

A look at Jota’s football career

Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. Since then, he made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals for the Merseyside club. He helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season and also lifted the FA Cup and League Cup during his time with the team.

For the national side, Jota earned 49 caps and was part of the Portugal squad that twice won the UEFA Nations League.

His younger brother, André Silva, played in the lower divisions of Portuguese football with club Penafiel.

Diogo Jota dies just 10 days after wedding

Jota had recently married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso in June. He had posted on social media: “Yes to forever.”
They had three children.

Autopsies will be conducted at a forensic unit in Zamora. Authorities are yet to officially release the identities, but police said all indications point to Jota and his brother.

Liverpool Football Club had not issued a statement at the time of reporting.