Tragic news of the death of Portuguese and English Premier League star Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, spread globally on Thursday, July 3, and New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson joined in honoring the European soccer/football star.
“🕊️🕊️🕊️ RIP Diogo & André 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾,” Wilson wrote on X, upon hearing the news.
According to The Associated Press, “Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday.
“The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that the 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, André Silva, were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora.”
Per The Associated Press: “It wasn’t clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tire while they tried to overtake another vehicle.”
This sudden loss was both shocking and heartbreaking to many around the world.
Liverpool Football Club & Portuguese Football Federation Release Statements on Death of Diogo Jota & André Silva
Among those releasing official statements on Jota & Silva’s death were the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and Liverpool Football Club.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva in Spain this morning,” the FPF said (translation via ESPN).
“Diogo Jota 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. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.”
The Portuguese Football Federation also relayed that they have asked UEFA to hold an official moment of silence “ahead of our national team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship on Thursday.”
“We have lost two champions,” the statement concluded. “Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”
As for Liverpool FC’s official statement, the English Premier League club began by expressing that “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”
“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,” the statement continued. “We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Portuguese Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo Sends Heartfelt Condolences to the Family of Diogo Jota & André Silva
Along with Russell Wilson and many others, Portuguese superstar and teammate Cristiano Ronaldo shared a heartfelt message on the loss of his friend.
“It doesn’t make sense. We were just together with the national team, you had just gotten married,” Ronaldo wrote in Portuguese in a post on social media.
Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir
“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.”
Ronaldo and Jota both helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in June of 2025. It was a particularly memorable spring for Jota, who also hoisted the Premier League trophy with Liverpool FC in May.
Per ESPN, “Jota’s death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso and in a social media post wrote, ‘Yes to forever.’ They have three children, the youngest born last year.”
-1749788986-q80.webp "Source: Knicks yet to contact Lakers about permission to interview JJ Redick")
