Soccer Player Diogo Jota Killed Days After His Wedding – Details

In a heart-wrenching blow to the world of soccer, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died following a devastating accident. The 28-year-old Portuguese star was with his younger brother, Andre Silva, who also perished. Jota leaves behind his newly-wedded wife and their family.

The fatal crash that claimed the lives of Jota and Silva occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning in Zamora, a province in northwestern Spain.

According to local authorities, the brothers were traveling in a Lamborghini around 12:30 a.m. when a sudden tyre blowout caused their vehicle to lose control while overtaking another car.

The sports car veered off the road and erupted into flames, leaving no chance of survival. Both brothers were professional athletes — Jota a household name in international soccer and Silva, aged 25, a rising midfielder playing in Portugal’s second tier for Penafiel.

Their tragic end has cast a long shadow over the soccer world, where the duo was not only admired for their talents on the field but also for their characters off it.

The Reds issued a heartfelt statement expressing how “devastated” they are by the loss, while making it clear, “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.”

Meanwhile, the Wolves remember him as someone “adored by our fans, loved by his team-mates and cherished by everyone who worked with him.”

Jota had only just helped Portugal clinch victory over Spain in the Nations League final on June 8, marking his 49th international cap and 14th goal for his country. He began his club career with Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016. He then gained prominence through a loan spell at Football Club (FC) Porto, where his brother also spent time as a youth player.

In 2017, Jota joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, becoming a fan favorite with 44 goals in three seasons, before signing with Liverpool for £41 million in 2020.

At Liverpool, he quickly cemented his legacy, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and contributing to the club’s Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup), League Cup, and, most recently, Premier League triumphs.

At the same time, Jota’s brother’s career reflected determination and promise. After his time in Porto’s academy, he moved through youth systems at several clubs before finding stability with Gondomar and eventually Penafiel, where he made nearly 60 league appearances over two seasons.

Grief reverberated across Portugal as the news broke. The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) called the deaths “irreparable losses,” emphasizing that Jota was “much more than an amazing player,” he was “someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community.”

“The Portuguese Football Federation would like to offer the deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and André, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players,” they continued.

“We have lost two champions […] and we will do everything to honour their legacy every day,” the organization concluded.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has since confirmed a minute’s silence will be observed before Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 match against Spain.

Joining other soccer federations in expressing their condolences is FC Porto. “It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Rest in peace,” penned the club in a statement.

Similarly, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro mourned the tragedy as “a sad day for football and for national and international sports,” while Porto’s president, Andre Villas-Boas, praised the brothers for their humanity and professionalism — “Football has lost two great men.”

Among the many voices mourning the heartbreaking loss is soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who shared a tribute to Jota on Instagram. “It doesn’t make sense,” Ronaldo wrote, expressing disbelief at the sudden tragedy. “We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.”

In his message, Ronaldo also addressed Jota’s family, adding, “To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

Adding to the overwhelming grief surrounding Jota’s passing is the tragic timing: The beloved soccer player had only just celebrated his wedding day. On June 22, a mere eleven days before the fatal crash, Jota tied the knot with his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in a breathtaking ceremony that radiated joy, devotion, and the promise of a shared future.

The couple looked euphoric as they marked the beginning of their next chapter together. Cardoso and Jota commemorated the occasion on Instagram with a carousel of stunning images from the ceremony, which was held in an ornate church adorned with gold accents and floral arrangements. Their caption, penned originally in Portuguese, reads, “• June 22, 2025 • Yes to forever ♾️.”

One of the images shows the bride and groom beaming proudly, side by side, as they show off their wedding bands — Rute glowing in a crystal-studded gown and tiara, and Jota in a navy blue suit.

Another captures the solemn beauty of the moment they stood before the altar, backs to the camera, as the priest presides over their vows beneath a gilded sanctuary.

The cover image displays the newlyweds standing together before the altar, arm in arm, smiling at the camera. Framed by opulence and bound by love, they appear every bit the picture of a hopeful future. Today, those images have become a heartbreaking echo of a life and love story interrupted too soon.

Before exchanging vows in June, Jota and Cardoso had already built a life full of shared memories and unconditional love. The couple, proud parents to three young children, got engaged in 2022.

Cardoso and Jota celebrated the joyful milestone with a heartwarming video shared on Instagram, captioned simply, “YES 💍.”

The clip captured the moment he proposed in a romantic outdoor setting adorned with soft fairy lights, a rich array of floral arrangements, and a table dressed in deep red tones. A sparkling engagement ring rested in an open box surrounded by blooms, just before Jota dropped to one knee.

Cardoso, dressed in a light aqua playsuit, reacted tearfully in one frame — overwhelmed with emotion — before she embraced Jota in another.

The love and excitement in their eyes made it clear this was not just a special moment, but a deeply personal celebration of a bond already years in the making.

In a haunting twist of fate, Jota’s final Instagram post came just hours before his tragic death. On July 2, he shared a touching video montage from his and Cardoso’s recent wedding — a heartfelt tribute to what he described in the caption as “A day we will never forget 🤍.”

The beautifully edited clip showcased glimpses of the elegant venue, the glowing bride and groom in their wedding attire, and moments of pure joy as the couple celebrated with family and friends.

Now, the post stands as an achingly bittersweet farewell — a final snapshot of love, life, and happiness, frozen in time.

At this moment, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Cardoso, her and Jota’s three kids, all of his and Silva’s family members, friends, loved ones, colleagues, communities, and everyone who knew and loved them, as they mourn such significant losses. We hope for their healing amid their grief. RIP, dear Jota and Silva.