Fatal Accident in Spain

On 3 July 2025, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 25, died in a car crash on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain. According to Spanish authorities, their Lamborghini Huracán suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and catch fire. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Jota had recently undergone lung surgery and was advised against flying, prompting the brothers to drive to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK for pre-season training.

Funeral in Gondomar

The funeral took place on 5 July at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal. The service was led by Bishop Manuel Linda of Porto. Family, friends, and numerous figures from the football community attended, including Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who brought floral tributes shaped as shirts bearing the numbers 20 and 30, representing Jota and Silva respectively. Portugal teammate Rúben Neves served as a pallbearer for Jota's casket. Following the service, the brothers were buried side by side in the adjacent cemetery.

Public Mourning and Tributes

Thousands of fans gathered outside the church to pay their respects, many wearing jerseys and scarves of the clubs and national team the brothers had represented. In Liverpool, fans laid flowers and memorabilia outside Anfield Stadium. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was among those paying tribute. A minute's silence was observed before matches at the FIFA Club World Cup and the Women's European Championship.

Career Highlights

Diogo Jota began his professional career at Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid, FC Porto (on loan), Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finally Liverpool in 2020. He made 182 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals, and helped the club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal, contributing to their UEFA Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025.

André Silva played as an attacking midfielder, starting at Gondomar SC and progressing through FC Porto's youth system. He later played for clubs including Paços de Ferreira, Famalicão, Boavista, and Penafiel in Portugal's second division. He was also pursuing a degree in business management and had recently graduated.

Ongoing Investigation

Spanish authorities continue to investigate the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that a tyre blowout at high speed while overtaking led to the vehicle losing control and catching fire. The incident occurred around 00:30 CEST on a remote stretch of the A-52 motorway.

Global Reactions

The deaths of Jota and Silva have prompted an outpouring of grief from the football community worldwide. Tributes have come from clubs, players, and fans, highlighting the brothers' contributions to the sport and their communities.