File picture of Liverpool and Portuguese player Diogo Jota, who reportedly died in a car crash
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, 28, died in a fiery car crash near Zamora in northwestern Spain with his brother, Spanish state-owned TV station said on Thursday (July 3, 2025), citing local firefighters.
The regional fire department of Castille-Leon, where Zamora is located, said on its website a car crashed shortly after midnight on Thursday and burst into flames, with two men, aged 28 and 26, found dead.
Liverpool Football Club said it was devastated by the death of its player.
“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre. 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,” the club said.
Jota, who got married on June 28, helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season and also won the FA Cup and League Cup with the Merseyside outfit.
Jota’s rise began during three years with English side Wolverhampton Wanderers from 2017 to 2020, before making the big move to Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League, including the most recent one last month.
The Portuguese football federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proença said Portuguese soccer was “completely devastated.”
“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,” Proença said in the statement.
Published – July 03, 2025 02:10 pm IST