In a heartbreaking turn of events, the football world mourns the untimely death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who passed away at the age of 28 in a tragic car accident.
The news, first reported by Spanish outlet Marca on July 3, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the global sports community.
The incident occurred on the A-52 highway near Palacios de Sanabria in the province of Zamora, Spain, where Diogo Jota reportedly lost his life alongside his brother.
Diogo Jota, inset, was born on December 4, 1996. He became well known as a player with an exciting style, which included being a powerful dribbler, having breakneck speed, and being a clinical finisher.
He achieved his dream of playing for Liverpool and was considered one of the club’s key players and a monumental talent on one of the largest stages in global football.
Just days before this tragedy unfolded, which we would later learn happened on June 22, 2025, when he was married in a beautiful ceremony to Rute Cardoso, as seen in Jota’s social media posts.
His and Rute’s three children were present in the photos, and all appeared to be genuinely happy and enjoying this moment with their family and friends.
He left fans and teammates in sadness, and social media has been filled with tributes.
A particularly poignant image from MARCA displayed Jota celebrating after scoring a goal: it featured the years 1996-2025, as well as the phrase “Muere a los 28 años,” which translates to “died at 28 years old.”
The football world, including fellow players and fans alike, was in disbelief about this tragedy, with comments about how cruel life can be to take him away from his family so soon after a personal high.
Liverpool FC and the Portugal national team are yet to make official statements after the investigation in regard to the circumstances of the accident.
Football is collectively mourning the loss of an insane talent that has gone way too soon.
Rest in peace, Diogo Jota.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
