Liverpool FC Forward Diogo Jota Dies in Car Crash at 28

Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old forward for Liverpool FC, tragically died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday. The accident occurred in the province of Zamora and involved Jota’s Lamborghini, though it remains unclear who was driving the vehicle at the time. Jota was accompanied by his brother, André Silva, a footballer for Portugal’s Boavista FC, who was also killed in the crash. André was 25 years old.

Just two weeks prior to the accident, Jota had married his longtime girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, in Porto, Portugal. The couple had been together since they were both 16 years old and had three children together. The wedding took place in Jota’s home city, and the couple had recently celebrated Liverpool’s Premier League triumph.

Liverpool FC released a statement expressing their grief, describing Jota’s death as “an unimaginable loss.” The club highlighted Jota’s significant contributions to the team, both on and off the field. Jota’s journey in football began in the working-class outskirts of Porto, where his parents supported his early career by paying for him to play for his local club, Gondomar. By the age of 16, he was already a standout player, scoring 39 goals in 37 matches in his final youth season.

Jota’s professional debut came in 2014 with Paços de Ferreira, where he became the youngest player to score twice in a Primeira Liga match since Cristiano Ronaldo. His impressive performances earned him a move to Atlético Madrid in 2016, though he never played a first-team match for the Spanish giants. Instead, he continued to develop his skills at FC Porto and then Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he played a crucial role in Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League, scoring 17 goals in his first season and earning a permanent move. Jota also became the first player in Wolves club history to score back-to-back European hat-tricks and was pivotal in their Europa League run.

Liverpool signed Jota in 2020 for a reported £45 million. He quickly established himself as a key player at Anfield, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and helping the club capture the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups. His versatility, ability to play across the front line, and even drop into midfield, made him indispensable. Jota’s knack for decisive goals, including a memorable winner in the Merseyside derby, cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most instinctive finishers.

Off the pitch, Jota was equally impressive. His Liverpool contract, extended in 2022, reportedly earned him more than £7 million annually, with total career earnings surpassing £40 million. Endorsements with Nike and EA Sports added hundreds of thousands more each year. Jota’s market value peaked at around €60 million, reflecting his status as one of the most sought-after forwards in the game. He also invested in esports, leveraging his passion for gaming into competitive play and business ventures that contributed an estimated $3 million to his portfolio.

Jota’s international career mirrored his club success. He earned 49 caps for Portugal, scored 14 goals, and was part of squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. He played in two European Championships and the 2022 World Cup, helping to usher in a new era for Portuguese football. Jota’s contributions to the sport both on and off the field will be deeply missed by fans, teammates, and the football community at large.