Football world mourns Jota and his brother's tragic death: Ronaldo, Klopp and more...
The football community is devastated by the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Felipe, 26, in a car crash in Spain. Tributes have poured in from global figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and various clubs, expressing profound sorrow for the "unimaginable loss" of the Portuguese international, who had married just last month.
The global football community is united in profound grief following the devastating news of the death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Felipe, in a tragic car crash. Jota, 28, and André, 26, were killed when their car, reportedly suffering a tire blowout, veered off the road in the Spanish province of Zamora. The immense sorrow is amplified by the fact that Jota had celebrated his marriage to his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he has three children, just last month.
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Tributes have poured in from every corner of the football world, led by Jota's current club, Liverpool. In a statement, the Reds expressed their devastation, calling it an "unimaginable loss" and requesting privacy for the families involved:
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss."
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who brought Jota to Anfield, shared his heartbreak on Instagram, stating, "This is a moment where I struggle. There must be a bigger purpose. But I can't see it. 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."
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, a national teammate of Jota's, expressed his disbelief on social media: "It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married." Ronaldo extended his deepest condolences to Jota's family, wife, and children, adding, "I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo e Andre. We will miss you."
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The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) lauded Jota as "much more than an amazing player," describing him as an "extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself." The FPF, along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, underscored the irreparable loss to Portuguese and global football. UEFA announced a moment of silence would be observed at all Women's European Championship games on Thursday and Friday, including Portugal's tie against Spain.
Jota had a distinguished career, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup with Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020. His brother André was a professional footballer for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel.
Figures from outside football, including Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, and Prince William, have also offered their heartfelt condolences, highlighting the widespread impact of the tragedy.
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Liverpool teammates like Darwin Núñez and club legends such as Sir Kenny Dalglish and Jamie Carragher shared their profound grief, with Núñez stating, "I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field."
Liverpool legend Dalglish said "football is not important at this sad time", adding: "You feel helpless, knowing there's so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children. Thinking and praying for all their loved ones after the devastating loss of both Diogo and Andre. YNWA."
Former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he was "in a state of shock" and told "I can only imagine how his team-mates feel at Liverpool and Portugal, they must be in a world of pain with his friends and family. It just shows us all how quickly life can change. What a summer he's had, and you get this devastating news that his family have had in the last few hours. You can't even comprehend it" to Sky Sports.
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Another Liverpool legend and former England midfielder Steven Gerrard posted on Instagram: "RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time."
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Jota's Portugal team-mate Ruben Neves, who is playing at the Fifa Club World Cup for Al-Hilal, said: "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you."
Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who played with Jota at Wolves, posted on Instagram: "It's hard to get this kind of news and I still can't believe it. An excellent colleague, friend and above all a great father. Thank you for everything friend, we will always remember you."
NBA legend and LA Lakers power forward LeBron James, who is a minority owner of Liverpool, wrote on X "my prayers go out to his loved ones". Legendary tennis player Rafael Nadal described Jota's death as "sad and painful news".
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"All my love, affection and support go out to his wife, children, family and friends at this difficult time," the 22-time Grand Slam champion added. Manchester City's Jack Grealish posted he was "lost for words", while Manchester United's Portuguese defender Diogo Dalot said he was "speechless".
The outpouring of tributes from clubs like Wolves, Atlético Madrid, Porto, Sporting, and Pacos de Ferreira, where the brothers played, paints a picture of two individuals deeply admired for both their footballing talent and their personal qualities.
