Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother died in a car crash in northwestern Spain early on Thursday, when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.

Evidence at the crash site suggested Jota’s car suffered a burst tyre while overtaking, police said. The vehicle then flipped over and ended up in the central reservation. The crash occurred around 00:30 a.m. (2230 GMT) in the province of Zamora.

Tributes to the 28-year-old poured in from national leaders, football presidents, his teammates and clubs, while in Liverpool, devastated fans wept and laid flowers outside Anfield stadium for a man who weeks earlier had celebrated winning the Premier League with the team.

Jota, 28, had just married his partner of 10 years in late June, with whom he had three children. “My dream came true,” his wife Rute Cardoso wrote on Instagram of their wedding.

Tributes to Diogo Jota

LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

“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.”

FORMER LIVERPOOL MANAGER JUERGEN KLOPP

“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.

“Diogo was a not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!”

PORTUGAL PRIME MINISTER LUIS MONTENEGRO

“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”

PORTUGAL AND AL-NASSR PLAYER CRISTIANO RONALDO

“It doesn’t make sense. We were together just recently in the national team, and you just 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 Andre. We’ll all miss you.”

LA LAKERS PLAYER AND LIVERPOOL MINORITY OWNER LEBRON JAMES

“My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!!”

FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO

“Aged 28, Diogo has enjoyed a fantastic career to date and had many great years ahead of him, while his brother Andre was thriving at FC Penafiel – they will both be so sorely missed by all those who knew them and by the worldwide football community.”

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER

“There are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, non fans, who will also be shocked by this.

“It is devastating, and it is really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends, for his family.”

PORTUGUESE FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT PEDRO PROENCA

“Portuguese football is devastated. The Portuguese federation, this generation of players are mourning. Diogo was what we all want to be, was a reference for Portuguese football, was a talent of his generation…”

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

“We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves. The memories he created will never be forgotten.”

LIVERPOOL GREAT KENNY DALGLISH

“Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.

“Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre.”

PORTUGAL PLAYER RUBEN NEVES

“They say that we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”

LIVERPOOL PLAYER DARWIN NUNEZ

“There are no words of consolation for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.

“I send all my strength to his family, from wherever he is I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and his three children.”

UEFA PRESIDENT ALEKSANDER CEFERIN

“Just three weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting Diogo Jota with a medal after the UEFA Nations League final – a moment of joy, pride, and celebration that will now forever be burned in memory with sorrow.

“His passion, energy and spirit on the field inspired everyone around him. It is devastating to think that a life so full of joy and potential has been taken far too soon. Rest in peace, dear Diogo. You will not be forgotten.”

PENAFIEL FC, ANDRE SILVA’S CLUB

“The loss of two young lives linked to the world of football fills us with pain and consternation.

“At this difficult time, Futebol Clube Penafiel extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared moments of life and passion for sport with Andre and Diogo.

“The club will declare official mourning and will pay tribute at its upcoming sporting events. Rest in peace.”

“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!” former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who brought Jota to the club in 2020, said on Instagram.

“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father!”

Jota was the blueprint for the high-pressing, high-energy goal-getter beloved by modern coaches.

“It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you’d only just got married,” fellow Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo said on X.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: “his passion, energy and spirit on the field inspired everyone around him. It is devastating to think that a life so full of joy and potential has been taken far too soon.”

Jota’s brother, Andre Silva, who died alongside him, was also a footballer, with Penafiel in the Portuguese second division.

A minute’s silence will be observed at all of Thursday’s and Friday’s matches at the Women’s Euros taking place in Switzerland, UEFA said in a statement.

‘ADORED BY FANS’

Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season, scoring the derby winner against Everton, and also won the FA Cup in 2022 and League Cup in 2022 and 2024 with the Merseyside outfit. Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club. Liverpool said they were devastated.

“It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream,” Jota said on Liverpool’s website of winning the Premier League. “It’s a moment I will cherish forever.”

Flags flew at half-mast outside Anfield.

“I used to see him with his cars – he used to like his cars, you know,” Lesley Hughes, 75, told Reuters outside the stadium. “You’d see him driving in and he’d wave.”

Born in Porto, Jota began his career with local team Pacos de Ferreira before switching to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017.

“We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves,” the club said.

Jota also made 49 appearances for Portugal, twice winning the UEFA Nations League.

On the streets of Lisbon, many Portuguese said they were devastated by the tragic news.

“He was, without a doubt, one of the great figures of our national team and a key player for Liverpool,” Francisco Ferreira, 25, told Reuters. “It’s a loss that saddens all Portuguese people, and I pray for him and for his family.”