Liverpool and Portugal international Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car crash in Spain at the age of 28, just two weeks after marrying his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso.
The fatal accident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday along the A-52 highway in Zamora, northwestern Spain. Jota was reportedly traveling with his younger brother, André Jota—a professional footballer for Portuguese club Penafiel—when their car crashed and caught fire.
According to local media outlet zamora24horas.com, both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders from the Traffic Civil Guard, the Zamora Fire Brigade, and the Castilla y León Health Emergency Coordination Centre were dispatched after multiple calls reported a vehicle engulfed in flames. Despite their efforts, neither brother could be saved.
Just days before the accident, Jota had shared joyful wedding photos with Rute, his partner since 2012, captioning them: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.” The couple had three children together and had only recently celebrated their new life as husband and wife.
Jota’s sudden death has sent shockwaves across the football world, with tributes pouring in for the gifted forward, known for his pace, work ethic, and technical brilliance. His loss is being mourned by teammates, fans, and the global football community alike.
