Liverpool's Diogo Jota Tragically Passes Away in Car Accident at 28, Just Weeks After His Wedding

Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28 following a car accident in northern Spain, just two weeks after marrying his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children.

Jota was travelling with his younger brother, fellow footballer André Jota, 26, when their Lamborghini veered off the A-52 motorway—approximately 70 miles west of Valladolid—after reportedly suffering a tyre blowout while overtaking. The vehicle left the road, crashed, and caught fire in the early hours of the morning.

Emergency services in the Castilla y León region responded promptly. In an official statement, they confirmed: "The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire."

Diogo Jota had recently married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso — the mother of his three children — just two weeks ago. The couple is seen here on their wedding day.

Authorities dispatched the Zamora Traffic Police, the Provincial Fire Brigade, and emergency medical units to the scene.

Just hours before the tragedy, Jota had expressed his joy in a recent interview, describing himself as “the luckiest man in the world” following his recent wedding.

The crash has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with tributes pouring in for the beloved star known for his dedication on the pitch and devotion to his family.

Premier League Champion - Liverpool | Diogo Jota

Born in Massarelos, Portugal, Diogo Jota began his professional football career with Paços de Ferreira before signing with Atlético Madrid in 2016. He gained widespread attention during loan spells at FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, eventually securing a permanent move to Wolves, where he played a key role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League.

In September 2020, Jota joined Liverpool FC for a reported £41 million. He quickly became a vital part of Jürgen Klopp’s squad, known for his high work rate, technical ability, and knack for scoring in crucial moments. He made over 100 appearances for Liverpool, scoring more than 40 goals across all competitions.

Jota helped the club secure the FA Cup and EFL Cup in the 2021–22 season and played a central role in their Champions League and Premier League campaigns during his tenure.

At the international level, Jota earned 34 caps for Portugal, scoring 10 goals. He represented his country at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The news of Jota’s death has sent shockwaves through the football community. Liverpool FC, the Portuguese Football Federation, and clubs across Europe have issued statements expressing their condolences and paying tribute to his character both on and off the pitch.

Liverpool described Jota as “a cherished member of the club and a model professional,” adding that he will be “deeply missed by everyone at Anfield.”

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo posted on social media: “Devastated by the loss of our teammate and friend. My thoughts are with his family.”

Jota is survived by his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children.

Thank You Diogo Jota 'You'll Never Walk Alone'