Diogo Jota, a forward for Liverpool Football Club, has tragically lost his life in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28. He was a devoted father to three young children and had recently married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, less than two weeks before his passing.
Liverpool Football Club expressed their profound sorrow regarding this death, with tributes being extended from the Prime Minister of Portugal and the national football federation.
It has been reported that Jota and his brother, André, who was 26 years old and also died in the accident, were traveling in a car that veered off the road in the Zamora province. André was a professional footballer associated with Penafiel, a second-tier Portuguese club.
The specifics regarding the cause of the accident, which occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday, remain uncertain. However, preliminary police reports suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to a punctured rear tire. The car, identified as a Lamborghini, caught fire, leading to a blaze in the adjacent countryside that required the intervention of firefighting teams.
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton Wanderers and made 182 appearances, scoring a total of 65 goals for the club. His achievements included winning the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the League Cup with Liverpool, along with securing the Championship title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018. He was also a two-time champion of the Nations League with the Portuguese national team. Jota was highly regarded within the Liverpool locker room for his warm and affable demeanor.
In a statement, Liverpool Football Club conveyed its deep regret over the untimely passing of Diogo Jota, requesting respect for the privacy of his family, friends, teammates, and club staff as they navigate this profound loss. The club assured its unwavering support during this difficult time.
Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso celebrated their marriage in Porto on June 22. The couple had recently shared their joyful wedding news on social media. In a post, Rute described the day as a realization of her dreams, to which Jota responded by expressing his gratitude for being the fortunate one. The couple had known each other since high school and commenced their relationship in 2013, a year before Jota embarked on his professional football career.
Prime Minister LuÃs Montenegro of Portugal expressed his condolences via social media, stating that the news of Diogo Jota's and his brother's unexpected passing is a tragic event that has brought sorrow to both national and international sporting communities.
Moreover, Pedro Proença, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, remarked on social media that the federation and the broader Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva. He emphasized that beyond being an exceptional player with nearly 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was a remarkable individual, respected by teammates and adversaries alike, celebrated for his joy and his contributions to the community.
The Portuguese Football Federation has requested a moment of silence for the upcoming match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship in honor of the two individuals. The loss is considered an irreparable blow to Portuguese football, and efforts will be made to commemorate their legacy continually.
As a sign of respect, the flag at Liverpool Town Hall has been lowered to half-mast in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother.
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