Diogo Jota next to the Premier League trophy 2025 (Photo: Liverpool FC)
In the early hours of July 3, the sad news was revealed that Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva died in a traffic accident in the province of Zamora, Spain. Both were traveling in a rented Lamborghini towards Santander to take a ferry to England. The incident occurred around 12:30 AM, when one of the vehicle's tires burst during an overtaking maneuver, causing them to veer off the road and catch fire after crashing into the guardrail. The flames left no room for rescue, and emergency services could only confirm the brothers' deaths. Investigations continue to estimate whether there were any other contributing factors to the accident, such as the condition of the highway, which presents irregularities, or the speed at which they may have been traveling.
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, known as Diogo Jota, was born on December 4, 1996, in Massarelos, Porto. From a young age, along with his younger brother André, they showed great talent for soccer. André Silva played in the youth ranks of FC Porto (Portugal) and began his professional career in 2021, playing for Gondomar (Portugal). Diogo's first steps were also in Gondomar, before moving to Paços de Ferreira, where he debuted and stood out in the Portuguese Primeira Liga at age 19. In 2016, he was signed by Atlético de Madrid (although he did not debut for that team) and was loaned to FC Porto for a year; he then moved to Wolverhampton, where he became a key player for the English team, achieving promotion to the Premier League and a historic performance in the 2019 Europa League. In 2020, Liverpool signed him for €44.7 million, establishing himself as one of the most outstanding Portuguese forwards of his generation.
At Liverpool, Diogo was emerging as a versatile and lethal forward. Since his arrival, he scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists in 182 matches, winning three titles: the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. His great abilities on the pitch were always praised by Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool's head coach. Despite multiple injuries that limited his playing time, Jota became a fan favorite for his charisma, commitment, and effectiveness. Internationally, Diogo made his debut with the Portuguese national team in 2019, playing 49 matches and participating in 24 goals. His greatest achievement with the national team was the Nations League 2025, won on June 8 after defeating Spain in the final, a milestone that marked the peak of his career.
Tributes at Anfield (Photo: Liverpool FC)
The deaths of Diogo and André shocked the world. Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing its condolences and asked for privacy for the family. Clubs like Atlético de Madrid, FC Porto, Wolverhampton, and FC Barcelona, along with figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, Gianni Infantino, and Prince William of England, among many others, paid tribute to the forward. The impact of the news was such that Liverpool announced the retirement of the number 20, as a way to honor Diogo and commemorate the jersey he wore during his time at the club. Additionally, in recent hours, Liverpool communicated that it would honor the remaining contract years and pay them to his family, along with full education for his three children.
Diogo Jota's jersey at Liverpool (Photo: Liverpool FC)
Another of his many tributes was a minute of silence before the women's Euro Cup match between Portugal and Spain, a gesture that reflected the impact of the loss on Portuguese football. Fans gathered outside Anfield leaving flowers, scarves, and messages in memory of Jota, while Gondomar SC highlighted his human qualities and the legacy left by the brothers.
Diogo had three children, had just married the love of his life a week ago, and was experiencing a great moment, not only in the sport he loved the most but also in his day-to-day life. Tragedies like this make us think about how unfair life can be, but more than anything, it leaves us reflecting on enjoying it at every moment.
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