Liverpool FC footballer Diogo Jota dies aged 28
Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain, according to reports.
Marca reports that Jota and his brother André Silva, himself a footballer for F.C. Penafiel, died in a crash on the A-52 road near the Spanish city of Zamora, claiming that the car they were in went off the road and became engulfed in flames.
Jota, 28, joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and established himself as part of a successful squad on Merseyside.
During his time with Liverpool, the Portuguese footballer won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.
Jota had just recently got married, having tied the knot with Rute Cardoso last month after being engaged for three years, the couple had three children together.
According to local publication Enfoque, the crash occurred shortly before 1am this morning (3 July) resulting in the deaths of men aged 28 and 26.
During his time at Wolves, Jota helped them to win the Championship in 2018 and get the club back into the Premier League before moving to Liverpool for around £40 million.
He scored on his Premier League debut for the current champions Liverpool, bagging a goal in a 3-1 win against Arsenal at Anfield.
Jota netted the club's 10,000th goal during a Champions League game against Midtjylland and then got a hat-trick in a European fixture against Atalanta, becoming the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler in 1993 to score as many as seven goals in his first 10 appearances for the club.
He also made 49 appearances for Portugal, and just recently won the Nations League with his country.
The BBC reports that Spain's Guardia Civil have told them that a Lamborghini with Jota and his brother in it left the road after a tyre blow out while overtaking another vehicle.
FC Porto released a statement about the shocking death of the brothers.
The club said: "It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks."
The Portuguese national team have said they are 'devastated' to hear of the deaths, adding in a statement that Jota 'was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents'.
Liverpool FC said in a statement: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“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.
“We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Joe Harker