Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain, police say
MADRID AP Liverpool competitor Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames police explained Thursday The Spanish Civil Guard certified to The Associated Press that the -year-old Jota and his -year-old brother Andr Silva were revealed dead near the northwestern city of Zamora The accident occurred past midnight local time Police disclosed they were analyzing the causes and the bodies were undergoing forensic analysis Jota and Silva both Portuguese soccer players were the only ones in the car according to police It was not forthwith clear who was driving but police have been looking into the possibility that the accident happened as a outcome of a blown tire while the car tried to overtake another automobile The brothers were driving eastward along an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora when the accident took place The car was incinerated and they died inside Spanish leadership official ngel Blanco reported Spanish media have published video images of the crash s aftermath They show tire marks veering off the road toward damaged guardrails while the burnt-up car can be seen several meters away Firefighters were called in as flames from the crash spread into nearby vegetation functionaries announced Jota s death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso and in a social media post wrote Yes to forever They had three children the youngest born last year Jota also played for Portugal s national gang and helped it win the Nations League last month Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions Liverpool commented the club was devastated by the tragic passing Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre s family friends teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss We will continue to provide them with our full advocacy Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club including the Premier League title last season The Portuguese soccer federation circulated a announcement lamenting the deaths Federation president Pedro Proen a explained Portuguese soccer was wholly devastated More than a fantastic member with almost appearances for the national group Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person respected by all his colleagues and opponents He had a contagious elation and was a reference in his region Proen a stated in the comment The Portuguese federation revealed it has requested a minute of silence before Thursday s match between Portugal and Spain at the Women s European Championship being played in Switzerland We lost two champions Proen a reported Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer and we will all do our best to honor their legacy daily Portugal s Prime Minister Lu s Montenegro commented on the unexpected and tragic deaths He reported Jota was an athlete who greatly honored Portugal s name I extend my deepest condolences to their family he noted It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talked about the devastating news I am sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular he revealed There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non-fans who will also be shocked by this It is devastating and really crucial we bear in mind just how challenging a period this will be for his friends and for his family Reaction also started pouring in from across the world including from non-soccer players such as NBA star Lebron James a minority owner at Liverpool and tennis legend Rafael Nadal It doesn t make any sense Jota s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo declared Just now we were together in the national crew just now you had gotten married My condolences to your family to your wife and to your children I wish them all the strength in the world I know that you will perpetually be with them Rest in peace Diogo and Andr We will all miss you Former club Porto and former teammates lamented the deaths and sent condolences as did other clubs federations and leagues The Premier League revealed it was shocked and devastated Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo s family friends Liverpool FC and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time it noted Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed We will continue to assistance our friends and colleagues at the club UEFA noted its thoughts were with relatives friends and teammates affected by this heartbreaking loss It revealed a moment of silence will be observed at Euro matches on Thursday and Friday
