PRINCE William has paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota following his tragic death today.
The Prince of Wales said he was “deeply saddened” to hear about the death of Jota, who was just 28.
AlamyPrince William has paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, following his tragic death in a car crash[/caption]
AlamyThe Premier League star had joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 before making 182 appearances for the club[/caption]
InstagramJota (right) died alongside his brother Andre Silva, 26, after their Lamborghini left the road and caught fire[/caption]
The Premier League star died alongside his brother André Silva, 26, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, after their Lamborghini went off the road in Spain and caught fire late last night.
Local police say they believe one of the supercar’s tyres burst while overtaking another vehicle at around 12.30am today.
The dad-of-three was believed to have been driving a luxury SUV Lamborghini Urus and travelling towards a port in the northern city of Santander.
The crash occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria at around 12:40am.
He was due to catch a ferry this morning after being advised not to take a plane due to a recent lung surgery, according to CNN Portugal.
What we know so far:
Diogo Jota has died aged 28 in a car crash alongside his brother André
Liverpool FC coming to terms with “unimaginable loss”
Liverpool ace’s tragic final post just hours before dying in car crash
Tributes for star forward led by ex-Liverpool greats
Jota only got married 10 days ago to longterm partner Rute Cardoso
Heartbroken Cristiano Ronaldo says crash “doesn’t make sense”
Read Portuguese FA’s heartbreaking statement in full
Jota was one of football’s good guys
The Urus is a luxury sporty SUV worth around £150,000 and has a top speed of 190mph.
Police are said to be looking into the crash as “a possible speeding incident”, according to a government sub-delegation source in Zamora.
The Portuguese ace had missed several matches last season after suffering a rib injury in October during a match against Chelsea.
Jota was due to return to Liverpool to take part in the club’s pre season games which start later this month.
Tributes have now poured in for the Liverpool forward, including from Prince William.
The Prince of Wales said: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
Wills has made football a central focus for much of his life, with the royal serving as a patron of the Football Association (FA).
The Aston Villa fan has been pictured at games alongside Prince George, including during both legs of the club’s clash against PSG in the Champions League earlier this year.
Jota’s death tragically comes less than two weeks after he married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children: Dinis, Durate, and a daughter born in 2024.
The star played on the left wing and up front for Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020 for a fee of £41 million.
Liverpool FC paid a touching tribute to Jota as they said: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”
They added that everyone at the club is still coming to terms with the “unimaginable loss”.
The Portuguese national football team have said they are “devastated” by the Jota’s death.
They added that he “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”.
Ex-player and pundit Gary Neville said: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother.
“All my love and best wishes to his family.”
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shared a statement on his “great friend”.
The German, who signed Jota from Wolves for £45m in 2020, said on social media: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it.”
Full statement from Liverpool FC
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, André.
Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and André’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
He continued: “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.
“We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added that Jota’s death is “devastating news”.
He told reporters today: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
“But there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.”
Ex-player and pundit Gary Neville said: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother.”
TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote: “He only got married two weeks ago. Heartbreaking.”
FC Porto also paid tribute, saying: “Futebol Clube do Porto is in mourning.
ReutersJota was part of Liverpool’s title winning squad last season[/caption]
GettyHe had also recently tasted success with the Portugal National Team, winning the UEFA Nations League last month[/caption]
fk.felippekatiaDiogo and Rute with their three children at their wedding ceremony on June 22[/caption]
“It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
National teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also paid an emotional tribute to Jota.
The star wrote: “It just doesn’t make sense. Just now you had gotten 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 will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Jota and his wife shared heartwarming pictures of themselves in front of the altar with their kids during their beautiful celebration just 10 days ago.
In the caption, they said: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
The Instagram post received over 690,000 likes and more than 23,000 comments.
And it included love heart emojis from fellow Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez and Natalia Becker, wife of goalkeeper Alisson.
Fans have also been using the post as a place to pay tribute to the star.
The Premier League described Jota – who won the competition for the first time earlier this year – as a “champion who will be forever missed”.
Following his death, UEFA are set to announce a minute silence during tonight’s Women’s Euros match between Spain and Portugal.
PAFloral tributes have been laid outside Anfield[/caption]
APA funeral car arrives at the forensic institute in Zamora where the brothers’ bodies are being held[/caption]
PAThe crash occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria at around 12:40am[/caption]
A tribute to Diogo Jota
By Sun Sports News Columnist, Dan King
DIOGO Jota won every major honour in English football with Liverpool before a car crash cruelly cut short his life.
But the pain of Jota’s death will also be felt particularly hard at Wolves, where he played a key role in the club’s transformation, as well as in his native Portugal.
The versatile forward was part of the squad that won a second Nations League title last month.
And in the last fortnight, Jota had married long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
His sudden death at the age of 28, along with brother and fellow footballer Andre in an horrific accident, is heartbreaking.
Because Jota was not only a highly gifted footballer, he was also one of the good guys.
An intelligent, thoughtful man, who spoke English better than some natives and who dedicated himself to his career and family.
By helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last season, Jota completed the full set of domestic trophies after the Reds lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in 2021/22.
Although injury and competition for places restricted Jota’s contribution, he still scored key goals as Arne Slot’s side claimed a record-equalling 20th English championship.
What turned out to be the last of his 65 strikes for the Reds was the only goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in February.
It was typical Jota. While Everton defenders hesitated, the small but strong Portuguese forward bustled on to the ball, beat two men and buried the ball in the net.
Jota had bumps in the road before reaching the top of the game with Liverpool and Portugal.
After making his debut for Pacos de Ferreira at the age of 17, he moved to Atletico Madrid at 19.
But he soon went on loan to Porto, where he did well enough to attract the attention of ambitious Wolves, who were then in the Championship.
In his first season in England, he scored 17 league goals to fire the club back into the Premier League as champions.
Jota was a popular member of the dressing room which featured a strong Portuguese contingent.
He held his own in the top flight, but there was some surprise when Liverpool signed him in a deal worth up to £45m.
Yet in his five seasons at Anfield, he played an important role in the Reds’ potent front four as the club claimed English honours and went close to European glory.
Jota scored 21 times as Jurgen Klopp’s side hunted down a Quadruple in 2021/2, winning the domestic cups, taking the title race to the final day and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
His total of 65 goals in 182 appearances does not tell the full story of his contribution on and off the field.
After coming close more than once, it was special for Jota finally to lift the Premier League trophy in May.
For Portugal, Jota was part of a generation that delivered glory.
He was uncapped when selected in the squad for the Nations League final stages on home soil in 2019 and did not feature, making his debut later in the year.
Jota would go on to score 14 in 49 appearances. His last was as an extra-time substitute in last month’s Nations League final against Spain, which Portugal won on penalties.
That triumph was part of what was surely the best year of Jota’s life. For it to have ended, in such terrible circumstances, is incomprehensible.
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