Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota died in a traffic accident in the province of Zamora in Spain on Thursday. According to a report by Marca, the accident took place near the Zamora region of Sanabria.
The Portuguese international was travelling with his brother Andre, a professional footballer from Penafiel in Portugal, when their car went off the road. According to witnesses, the car was engulfed in flames, and the fire even spread to the nearby vegetation. Jota got married to Rute Cardoso just 10 days ago.
According to the Daily Mail, emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash.
“The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km—65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident, and the vehicle was on fire,” a statement read.
“1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Centre (CCU) of this accident.”
“From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Centre were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”
Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation, reacted to the news.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, this morning, in Spain,” the official statement read.
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.”
“On my behalf, and 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, lined up the players.”
“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.”
“Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honour their legacy.”
