The accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning near Zamora, close to the border with Portugal. Jota’s younger brother, Andre Silva, also died in the incident.

According to Spanish and Portuguese authorities, the crash happened around 00:30 local time on the A-52 motorway. Reports indicate that the vehicle, a Lamborghini, left the road—possibly due to a tyre blowout while overtaking—and caught fire. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

Jota had recently married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, just two weeks prior to the accident. He was a father of three and was due to return to Liverpool for pre-season training ahead of his sixth campaign with the club.

Career and Tributes

Jota began his professional career with Paços de Ferreira in Portugal before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016. He gained prominence during loan spells at Porto and then Wolves, eventually joining Liverpool in 2020. With the Reds, he made over 180 appearances, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, and played in the 2022 Champions League final.

Internationally, Jota earned nearly 50 caps for Portugal, featuring at Euro 2022 and Euro 2024, and winning the Nations League twice with his country.

The Portuguese Football Federation and Liverpool FC have expressed their condolences, describing Jota as not only an exceptional player but also a respected and joyful presence within the football community.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Tributes have poured in from across the football world for Jota and his brother, with fans, teammates, and clubs expressing shock and sadness at the news.