Prince William has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota, who lost his life early this morning in a devastating car crash in Spain.
Fatal Crash Claims Lives of Diogo Jota and His Brother
Jota, just 28 years old, was driving on the A-52 near Cernadilla in the province of Zamora around 1:30am when his vehicle reportedly suffered a tyre blowout, veered off the road, struck an embankment, and caught fire. His 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva, was also in the car and tragically died in the blaze.
Local witnesses spotted the flames and quickly alerted authorities, but despite their efforts, emergency responders were unable to save the two men.
Prince William Shares Condolences
Prince William, a passionate football supporter and President of the FA, shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), honoring the lives lost.
“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,” he wrote, tagging both Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The heartbreaking accident occurred less than two weeks after Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple tied the knot on June 22 in Porto, Portugal, surrounded by their three children—two sons, Denis (born 2021) and Duarte (born 2023), along with their baby daughter, whose name has not yet been made public.
Just hours before the tragedy, Rute had shared a moving wedding video on social media, captioning it: “A day we will never forget.” The video showed the newlyweds in touching black-and-white footage, joined by their children. Rute has yet to speak publicly following the loss.
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 @LFC @Wolves. W
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 3, 2025
Tributes from Across the Football World
The Portuguese Football Federation was among the first to respond with a public tribute, saying it was “devastated” by the deaths. “Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football,” read their statement.
Portugal’s national team also released an emotional message, saying: “Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with nearly 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.”
Jota’s Legacy at Liverpool and Beyond
Jota had been a key figure in Liverpool FC since joining the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. During his time at Anfield, he became a dynamic force under managers Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot, contributing significantly to the club’s success in the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup.
In addition to his club career, he was a mainstay in Portugal’s national team setup, earning admiration both on and off the pitch for his skill and character.