Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Diogo Jota, who tragically lost his life in a car accident at the age of 28. Jota and his brother, André, were killed in the early hours of Thursday morning in Spain.
Klopp, who brought Jota to Anfield in a £45 million transfer from Wolves in September 2020, played a pivotal role in shaping the Portuguese forward into a standout performer during his time at Liverpool.
The fatal crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time on the A52 highway near Zamora, not far from the Portuguese border. Jota’s passing came just days after he married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple have three young children.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Klopp wrote:
“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it! I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother André. Diogo was not only an exceptional player, but a close friend, a devoted husband, and a loving father. We will miss him dearly.
All my prayers, thoughts, and strength go out to Rute, the children, their family, friends, and everyone who loved them.
Rest in peace — Love, J.”
Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and assisting 26 more. During his time with the club, he lifted the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and two League Cups.
Liverpool released a statement mourning the loss:
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed that the 28-year-old has died following a road traffic incident in Spain, along with his brother, André.”
Liverpool Football Club has stated that it will not be making any additional comments at this time and has asked that the privacy of Diogo Jota and André Silva’s family, friends, teammates, and club staff be respected as they cope with this unimaginable tragedy. The club reaffirmed its commitment to fully supporting those affected during this difficult time.
Jota and his brother lost their lives following a high-speed crash caused by a tire blowout on the Lamborghini they were traveling in. The vehicle veered off the road and caught fire, leaving behind a scene of catastrophic wreckage. Emergency responders confirmed the deaths of both individuals shortly after arriving.
A Civil Guard spokesperson in Zamora commented:
“Traffic officers from the Civil Guard are conducting the investigation. Based on tire marks on the road, we believe the car suffered a blowout. A full report will be submitted to a duty court in Zamora, which has launched an official judicial investigation into the incident.”
