Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota, his brother killed in car accident

Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother have died in a car accident in Spain, police said Thursday.

The Spanish civil guard confirmed to The Associated Press that Jota and his brother were found dead after their car went off a road near the western city of Zamora.

Police were investigating the causes. They said there were no other vehicles involved.

The 28-year-old Jota and his brother, 25-year-old Andre Silva, both Portuguese players, were in the car.

Jota also made 49 appearances for Portugal’s national team and helped it win the Nations League last month.

Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Reds— including the Premier League title last season. He previously played for Wolverhampton, and with Porto in his home country.

Jota’s death comes weeks after his wedding, to Rute Cardoso.

Liverpool’s website featured a picture of Jota, with the club calling it an “unimaginable loss.”  

‘An irreparable loss’

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro called it a “sad day for football” in a social media post, extending his condolences to Jota’s family.

The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proença said Portuguese soccer was “completely devastated.”

“More than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community,” Proença said in the statement.

The Portuguese federation said it has requested a minute of silence before Thursday’s match between Portugal and Spain at the Women’s European Championship being played in Switzerland.

“We lost two champions,” Proença said. “Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer and we will all do our best to honour their legacy daily.”