Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash aged 28

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died aged 28 in a car crash that occurred in Zamora, Spain, earlier this morning.

His brother, André Silva, has also died in the crash, which happened at around 00:30 local time. The 25-year-old was a professional football player for FC Penafiel.

Their deaths were announced by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), who expressed their condolences in their statement:

"The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, this early morning, in Spain," said Pedro Proenca, president of the FPF.

Proenca highlighted that Jota was "much more than an amazing player": "With almost 50 international appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself."

"On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, they played their football," added Proenca.

The news of Jota's tragic death comes just two weeks after he married his partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shares three children.

Many have expressed their condolences for Jota and Silva's families and friends, as well as football fans online.

Spanish-Irish football journalist Miguel Delaney took to X, saying, "Very moving to now watch that clip of the Anfield crowd singing Jota's name at the title celebrations. The fragility of it all, to go from that and his marriage to being with his brother and leaving behind three young kids. Tragic. RIP."

Manchester City said they were "shocked and saddened to learn about the devastating news regarding the passing of Diogo Jota".

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward, along with his brother André Silva. Our thoughts are with their family, friends, teammates and all those affected," read a statement by UEFA.