Who Was Diogo Jota? Liverpool And Portugal Footballer Dies In Car Crash Days After Wedding

(MENAFN- Live Mint) In a devastating incident that has left the football world in shock, Diogo Jota, the Portuguese footballer and Liverpool FC forward, has died in a tragic car accident just 10 days after his wedding. He was 28.

Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, also a professional footballer with Portuguese club Penafiel, died in the early hours of Thursday after their Lamborghini reportedly crashed and caught fire in the Spanish province of Zamora, the BBC Sports reported.

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According to Spain's Guardia Civil, the accident took place around 12:30 am local time while the vehicle was overtaking another car. A tyre burst is believed to have caused the vehicle to veer off the road before bursting into flames.

A rising star gone too soon

Jota had recently tied the knot with his longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22, with whom he shared three children. Heartfelt images from their wedding ceremony had been posted just days before the accident.

The footballer's untimely death has triggered an outpouring of grief from fans, teammates, and football associations around the world. Liverpool FC, who signed him from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for £41 million, said they were“devastated.”

“We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him,” read a statement from Wolves, his former club.

Also Read | Diogo Jota dies: Condolences pour in for Liverpool's Portuguese forward

Over the course of his career, Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and helping the team clinch the FA Cup, League Cup and the Premier League title.

He also represented Portugal at the international level, earning 49 caps and scoring 14 goals. He last played for the national team in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain on June 8, just weeks before the tragedy.

More than just a Footballer

Beyond football, Jota was known for his passion for esports, and had built a significant online following. He had endorsement deals with global brands like Nike and EA Sports, earning him an estimated $1.5 million annually.

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His total net worth at the time of his death was reportedly around $18 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

He was also involved in charity campaigns and collaborated with global artists like Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa on promotional and philanthropic initiatives.

A double tragedy for Portuguese football

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) released a statement expressing profound sorrow:

“Much more than an amazing player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person. We have lost two champions. Their passing is an irreparable loss to Portuguese football.”

As a mark of respect, UEFA has announced a minute's silence before Portugal's Women's Euro qualifier against Spain.

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