Everything we know about Diogo Jota car crash as Liverpool star dies alongside brother
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash alongside his brother in Spain. Here is everything we know as the situation continues to develop.
The crash occurred near Zamora, northwestern Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning, as initially reported by Spanish news agency EFE.
Jota had three children, and married his wife Rute Cardoso on June 22.
He spent five seasons at Liverpool after signing from fellow Premier League club Wolves in 2020.
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Here is what we know what about the crash so far:
What do we know about Diogo Jota's crash?
Jota and his brother, Andre, were travelling on the A52 in Zamora when his car ran off the road and caught fire.
Witnesses say that they alerted 112, the car was 'engulfed in flames', with the fire spreading to nearby vegetation.
The Spanish Guardia Civil have confirmed, according to initial findings, that the car, which was a Lamborghini, appeared to suffer a tyre blowout while overtaking and left the road before catching fire.
El Mundo report that the car was travelling towards Benavente, with the crash happening at around 12:40am local time.
What have authorities said about the car crash?
The Spanish Guardia Civil have released a statement, confirming that the car involved in the road accident appeared to suffer a tyre blowout while overtaking.
They subsequently stated that the two occupants of the car have been identified as Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
"The information that we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking.
"It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed."
The emergency services in Castilla and Leon have also released an official statement, confirming that they received several calls regarding a 'vehicle accident' in the early hours of Thursday morning.
"The 1-1-2 Castilla y Leon 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.
"1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.
"From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent who confirmed the death of two people on the scene."
What have Liverpool said about Diogo Jota's death?
In a statement published on Thursday morning, Liverpool wrote: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
"The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"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 support."
Following initial reports of Jota's death, the club wiped the home page of their official website with no news articles available, with the only section visible being a tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters.
Portuguese FA leads tributes to Diogo Jota
The Portuguese FA have released a statement on Jota's death.
They confirmed they have lodged a request with UEFA for a minute's silence before Portugal take on Spain in the Women's European Championship on Thursday evening.
The statement, written by president Pedro Proenca, also reads: "On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.
"The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily."
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has also paid tribute to the Liverpool forward, writing on Twitter: "That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family."
Jota's former club, FC Porto, wrote: "FC Porto is in mourning.
"It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace."
Ruben Neves, Jota's team-mate at international level and at previous club Wolves, stated on Instagram: "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!"
Away from football, Jota was an avid snooker fan and attended the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible earlier this year.
The World Snooker Tour have paid tribute to the Portugal star: "We are devastated today to hear the news that Diogo
Jota has tragically passed away.
"Diogo loved snooker and we were thrilled to welcome him to the Crucible where he met many of our staff and players.
"Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family and friends."
Topics: Diogo Jota, Liverpool, Portugal, Football
Ryan Smart