Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Tributes as Football Mourns Diogo Jota’s Tragic Death

The global football community is in mourning following the tragic deaths of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, in a fatal car crash on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The devastating accident occurred on the A-52 motorway in the Zamora province of northern Spain. Emergency services in the Castilla y León region confirmed that both brothers, aged 28 and 26 respectively, lost their lives in the crash. This incident comes just two weeks after Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.

How could you do this to us after celebrating you wedding together?

The A-52, a major route frequently used by drivers traveling from northern Portugal, became the site of this tragedy that has shaken the football world. Tributes have poured in from clubs, players, and associations globally.

Jota, who earned over 30 caps for Portugal and scored in several important matches, was part of the national team that won the UEFA Nations League earlier in 2025. Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his heartbreak in a deeply emotional tribute:

“It doesn’t make sense. Just recently, we were together with the National Team. Just recently, you got married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

As tributes continue to flow in, the loss of Diogo Jota has left a deep void in both Portuguese football and the wider sports world.

More Tributes Pour In for Diogo Jota and Brother André Following Tragic Accident

Tributes continue to flood in for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva, following their untimely deaths in a tragic car crash in Spain on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Jota’s club, Liverpool FC, released an emotional statement confirming the 28-year-old’s passing, expressing profound sorrow while requesting privacy for the grieving families.

“The club has been informed that Diogo Jota has sadly passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain, along with his brother, André. Liverpool FC will not be making any further comments at this time and respectfully requests that the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates, and club staff is maintained as they come to terms with this unimaginable loss. We will continue to offer them our full support.”

Jota’s former club, FC Porto, also shared a moving tribute, posting a photo of the two brothers along with the message:

“FC Porto is in mourning. 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 part of our youth ranks.”

The Premier League, Portuguese Football Federation, and numerous football associations, clubs, and players around the world have also joined in honoring the memory of the two brothers, celebrating their contributions to the sport and mourning their loss.