|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28.
Jota’s 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, was also killed in the accident. He was a footballer with Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.
The accident happened on the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.
The car Jota and his brother were travelling in left the road and caught fire after a suspected burst tyre while overtaking, according to a statement.
Jota had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks ago, and had three children.
Liverpool said in a statement: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, team-mates 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.”
Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool after joining the club in 2020 from Wolves, where he scored 44 goals in 131 games.
The forward helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season and also lifted an FA Cup and two Carabao Cups with the club.
He followed last season’s Premier League title triumph by winning the UEFA Nations League for the second time with Portugal in June. In total, he scored 14 goals in 49 games for the national side.
Jota also had spells with Pacos de Ferreira, Porto and Atletico Madrid earlier in his career.
