With his starting place no longer assured, left-back Robertson had chosen to stay on at Anfield before Jota’s death and explained he felt a strong responsibility to help others as an experienced member of the squad.
“It’s the toughest thing we’ll ever go through,” he added. “Losing one of your closest mates for me was hugely difficult and it’s something we’ll probably never get over but it’s just something that we have to carry with us.
“We have to carry the memories we’ve got with us and as long as we continue to do that, then it’ll always be in our thoughts. He will always be in our hearts.
“It didn’t influence my decision. The decision was already made before the tragedy but I knew in that moment that the club needed me.
“I know I am one of the leaders in the team and I have obviously been made vice-captain now.
“It’s going to take a lot this season. I know football was irrelevant but if you take the football out of it, even as lads in the changing room, we are all going to need help during the season.
“We’ve already had difficult moments in terms of the first time in front of fans, having to go to your team-mate’s funeral which is absolute madness to even say, and everything else that followed.
“I know the leaders in that changing room have got a big job to do in terms of trying to help everyone as a club and even Diogo’s family through this massively difficult moment.
“It won’t get easier but maybe we can numb the pain a little bit as time goes on. It’s up to as leaders to try and guide us guide us through that.”
Jota played for Wolves before joining Liverpool in 2020 and tributes for him and his brother have also been placed outside the Molineux stadium of the Midlands club.
“With heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast in the coming days, staff have begun carefully removing and preserving items from the tribute area to protect them from damage,” said a Wolves statement., external
“All non-perishable items will be carefully stored and will be retained for potential inclusion in a more permanent memorial, which the club is now exploring as a lasting way to honour Diogo and Andre.”
Wolves also plan to mark the passing of the brothers at their final pre-season friendly against Celta Vigo on Saturday, 9 August before the “main commemorations” at the side’s opening game of the Premier League season against Manchester City on Saturday, 16 August.
The Liverpool player is believed to have been driving at high speed when he and his brother Andre Silva died last week, according to Spanish police.
Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota was likely speeding when his car veered off a motorway in Spain last week, killing him and his brother, Spanish police said.
The shock deaths of Jota, 28, and Andre Silva, 25, on July 3 plunged the football world into mourning, less than two weeks after the striker had gotten married.
An ongoing investigation is examining “the marks left by one of the vehicle’s wheels … everything points to a possible excessive speed beyond the road’s speed limit”, the Civil Guard said on Tuesday.
“All the tests conducted so far indicate that the driver of the vehicle was Diogo Jota,” it added.
The force had previously said a tyre had probably blown out while the vehicle was overtaking, causing it to crash and burst into flames in the northwestern province of Zamora.
Just hours before the accident, Jota had posted a video of his June 22 wedding to partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
The deaths sparked an outpouring of grief, particularly in the brothers’ native Portugal and at Jota’s Premier League club Liverpool.
Political leaders as well as star players from Portugal and Liverpool joined family and friends at the funeral on Saturday in the Porto suburb of Gondomar.
Following spells at Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jota became a fan favourite at Liverpool after joining the Premier League giants in 2020.
He netted 65 times for the Reds in five seasons, lifting the League Cup and FA Cup in 2021-22 and helping them win a record-equalling 20th English league title last season.
The striker also earned 49 caps for Portugal and was part of the team that won this year’s UEFA Nations League.
Younger brother Andre played in midfield for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second tier.
Debris is pictured along the A-52 motorway at the crash site where Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain, July 3, 2025 [Cesar Manso/AFP]
“As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that.
“[Jota] was one of my close friends – and I am sure that’s what he would have wanted me to do. I’m sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure.”
Alexander-Arnold said the Portuguese forward was “someone who lit up the room when he was in it”.
“I shared the dressing room with him for five years – amazing memories on and off the pitch,” he added.
“It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was.”
Alexander-Arnold said it had been “very emotional and heartwarming to see the footballing world come together to show their love and support for [Jota], his brother and their family”.
“I’ve been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It’s truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that,” added the England international.
“It’s something you never expect.”
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe was among the players who paid tribute to Jota on Saturday, with the France forward indicating number 20 after scoring an acrobatic late goal, in recognition of Jota’s Liverpool shirt number.
Frenchman Ousmane Dembele also paid a tribute to the Portuguese by copying his Fifa gaming celebration after sealing a 2-0 win for Paris St-Germain against Bayern Munich, which set up a last-four meeting with Real Madrid.
Footballers Diogo Jota and André Silva have been honoured by their family, friends and teammates at a joint funeral in Portugal.
Jota, 28, was laid to rest alongside his brother, Silva, 25, after they died in a car crash on Thursday.
Hundreds of locals and supporters gathered at the Igreja Matriz in Gondomar, where the brothers are from, on Saturday.
The funeral also brought together huge names from across football, including Jota’s teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who were seen carrying floral tributes into the church ahead of the ceremony.
The service was held in Gondomar, a small Portuguese city near Porto, that has been left reeling after the brothers died.
PA Media
As a celebrated striker for Liverpool, Jota was known for his skills as a “natural finisher”
Players from Liverpool FC, who only three months ago were celebrating their Premier League win, arrived at the funeral together.
Watching them walk in line with each other, almost as they do when walking onto the pitch, was an emotional experience.
There was a strong feeling of community, but also a shared sombreness.
Many were visibly upset, with supporters on the other side of the barrier applauding the players. One woman in the crowd shouted towards them as they walked in: “Força!” – strength.
Family and close friends walked into the church in complete silence, many of them with their heads bowed down as the church bell rung.
One person in the procession held up a sign with Silva’s photograph, which read: “Para sempre um de nós.” (Forever one of us.)
So much was the brothers’ impact on football and their local community that some of the guests had to watch the ceremony from outside of the church, often hugging and comforting one another.
Locals and football fans in the crowd watched silently for most of the service, which went on for about an hour.
Many wore football shirts and carried merchandise from the different teams across Portugal and abroad where Jota and Silva, who played for local club Penafiel, spent some time in.
Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC
Antônio says the brothers’ family is a humble, nice local family
One of these fans was Antônio Moreira, who set off early in the morning to be one of the first outside the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar where the funeral took place.
“I know I won’t be able to go inside, but I wanted to pay my respects,” he told me from the barrier outside the church.
Antônio later showed me his phone case – a little old, he said – with the emblem of FC Porto.
Antônio recalled fond memories of Jota on the field, as he spent a year playing for the local club, but added that the brothers were so much more than football stars.
Getty Images
André Silva played for FC Penafiel in Portugal
“They were good people, from a humble family, people like us.”
This has hit him especially hard, he said, as 40 years ago his family went through a similar tragedy. His aunt, uncle and young cousin died in a car accident three days before Christmas, leaving his other cousin behind.
Jota and Silva may not have been his direct family, he said, but their deaths felt personal.
“This is what I think: losing your parents is hard, really hard. But losing your children is unimaginable,” he added.
Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC
One fan wore a Liverpool shirt, marked with Jota’s autograph
Jota’s journey as a player inspired many people here in Gondomar, football fan Fábio Silva told me.
He has kept up with the brothers since they started in the local clubs – and said he had to be here for their final journey.
“Despite the impact they had on football, and even financially, they never let it show,” he told me, adding the family are well-loved in the town.
“The community is sad, devastated,” he said.
Having spent some time with them over the years, Fábio said there was only one reason he was here: “Respect for the brothers, the family.”
Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC
Rafaela and Fábio said it was their duty as football fans and Portuguese locals to be at the brothers’ funeral
Avid football fans Fábio and Rafaela travelled from the nearby town Lordelo to honour Jota and Silva.
Wearing Jota’s shirt, Fábio said it was important to him to be here “for Jota’s final day”. Both said it meant a lot to the community that so many people showed up to pay their respects.
They watched the ceremony from outside the church, like hundreds of other fans – which Fábio said was hard. Nodding, Rafaela agreed, but said it was also beautiful.
“This is an example that you need to live life to the max,” Rafaela said, “because you never know when will be your last day.”
“Say everything you want to say, and need to say – tomorrow could be too late,” Fábio added.
Jota’s final goal for Liverpool wins Merseyside derby
The brothers, who were en route to the UK, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain after a car crash.
The funeral of footballers Diogo Jota and his brother has been held, two days after the siblings died in a car crash in Spain, with family and friends joined by players and staff from Jota’s Premier League club, Liverpool.
Saturday’s service was held at Igreja Matriz church in the Portuguese town of Gondomar, where Jota had a home.
Portugal’s national team coach Roberto Martinez and several top Portuguese players also attended, including Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
Among the mourners, Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk arrived carrying a red floral arrangement in the shape of a football shirt with Jota’s No 20 in white. His teammate Andrew Robertson carried a similar arrangement with the No 30, the number worn by Jota’s brother, Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese club Penafiel.
Jota, 28, and his brother, Silva, 25, were found dead near Zamora in northwestern Spain early on Thursday after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed on an isolated stretch of highway just after midnight and burst into flames.
The brothers were reportedly heading to catch a boat from northern Spain to go to England, where Jota was to rejoin Liverpool after a summer break.
Cause of crash unclear
Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, which did not involve another vehicle, they said.
They said they believe it could have been caused by a blown tyre.
Their bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by the family. A wake was held for them on Friday.
Jota’s death occurred two weeks after he married longtime partner Rute Cardoso while on holiday from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year.
Diogo Jota of Portugal with the UEFA Nations League trophy after his team’s victory in the final between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, Germany [Maja Hitij/UEFA via Getty Images]
Jota was born in Porto but started his playing career as a child in nearby Gondomar. Silva played in Portugal’s lower divisions.
Their loss has led to an outpouring of grief and condolences from the football world and Portuguese officials.
During a three-year stay at Wolves, Jota made 131 appearances for the club, scoring 44 goals, including consecutive hat-tricks in the 2019-20 Europa League victories over Besiktas and Espanyol.
In September 2020, he joined Premier League champions Liverpool in a £41m deal, with Wolves boss Nuno saying Jota is leaving “knowing that it will never be forgotten, especially by our fans, all the memorable moments that Diogo provided”.
“We were gutted we were losing him because he was that good,” said Coady.
“But at the same time, you gave him a big hug and you went, you know what mate, you deserve it more than anyone. Go and enjoy yourself. Go and make a name for yourself at one of the biggest clubs because you can certainly do that. And he has done for that a number of years.”
Coady posted a moving tribute to his former team-mate on his social media account after hearing the news, which he said he did while he “cried my eyes out”.
In the post, he describes how he felt grateful hearing his kids say “dad, you played with Jota” when the Liverpool player came up on the television screens – a feeling he reiterated again.
“People look at football and think it’s all about rivalry. But watching him win the Premier League with Liverpool, it filled me with immense pride – to say I played with him and he has gone on to do incredible things,” said Coady.
“He took it by storm, like he took us by storm. Like he then took the Premier league by storm. Like he then took Europa League by storm with Wolves.
“He’s then gone and done it with one of the biggest clubs in the land. A remarkable footballer, but an even better team-mate, which is 10 times more important than being a remarkable footballer for me.”
“Of course, if we had the possibility to change everything, we would change everything for sure. But this is a hard day for us.”
Portugal boss Francisco Neto joined in the tributes to Diogo Jota as thousands of fans also paid their respects during the team’s Euro 2025 opener against Spain.
Liverpool forward Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, both died early on Thursday morning when the Lamborghini car they were travelling in crashed in the Spanish province of Zamora.
On an emotional evening, a heartfelt rendition of Portugal’s national anthem was followed by an impeccably observed minute’s silence before kick-off, during which a black-and-white image of Jota was displayed on the big stadium screens in Bern.
“It was a really tough day to play football, because this life is much more than a game, much more than football,” said Portugal forward Jessica Silva.
“Of course everyone is sad. It’s heavy, my heart is heavy – much more important things than playing a game.”
Portugal fans held up placards with messages paying tribute to the player who is also being mourned in Liverpool, while both sets of players wore black armbands.
Despite having relentless support from their fans throughout the 90 minutes, Portugal fell to a 5-0 defeat in Bern as world champions and tournament favourites Spain began their pursuit for a first European crown.
Speaking in his post-match news conference, coach Neto, who appeared to hold back tears during the minute’s silence, described Jota as a devoted supporter of the women’s side.
“Diogo followed our team because he loved the county,” said Neto, who explained he first met Jota while coaching at under-19 level.
“Diogo always, when I talked to him, always knew the result. He followed the team, some players and this is the culture we have in Portugal.
“Today is a really, really sad day because two of us lost our lives. So young. It is not a good day.”
The football world has paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, who died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday. Liverpool FC fans gathered outside Anfield to mourn his death. The 28-year-old had recently married and was the father of three children.
Liverpool FC and Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother, fellow soccer player André Silva, died in a car crash early Thursday morning, Spanish authorities said Thursday. Jota was 28, and Silva was 25.
The brothers were found dead near Zamora, Spain, the country’s Civil Guard confirmed to the Associated Press. Police are investigating the cause of the accident, which occurred just after midnight when the Lamborghini the brothers were riding in veered off the road and burst into flames.
No other vehicles were involved and the brothers were alone in the car, police said. It’s unclear which brother was driving.
“We have lost two champions,” Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença said in a statement. “The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football and we will do everything we can to honor their legacy every day.”
Football fans stand next to tributes left Thursday at Anfield Stadium in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota.
(Ian Hodgson / Associated Press)
Jota, whose full name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, was known as a clinical finisher. Early in his professional career, Jota played for such teams as Paços de Ferreira, Atlético Madrid and the Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He signed with Liverpool in 2020 and went on to score 65 goals in 182 games for the Reds. The organization said in a statement that it is “devastated” by Jota’s death.
“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,” the team wrote.
Lakers star LeBron James, a minority Liverpool owner, referenced the team’s unofficial anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as he paid tribute to Jota on X.
“My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time!” James wrote. “May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!!”
Jota played nearly 50 games for Portugal as well. He made the 2022 World Cup squad, but was unable to play because of injury. Jota’s final match was Portugal’s 5-3 win in a penalty shoot-out over Spain in the Nations League final June 8. About two weeks later, Jota married Rute Cardoso, who was his childhood sweetheart and mother of their three young children.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote in Portuguese on X. “Just now we were together in the national team, 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 always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates with Portugal teammate Diogo Jota during a Euro 2020 qualifying match in Luxembourg in November 2019.
(Francisco Seco / Associated Press)
Silva was a midfielder for the Liga Portugal 2 squad Penafiel.
A moment of silence for the brothers will be observed at all UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday, including the Spain-Portugal game Thursday at noon PDT.
The football world remains in shock after tragic road accident involving Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother.
In the early hours of Thursday, Diogo Jota, forward for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, and his younger brother, died in a car accident in northwestern Spain.
At just 28 years old, Jota was enjoying some of the best moments of his career and personal life; he won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, the Premier League with Liverpool, and he recently married his childhood sweetheart.
The tragedy has left a deep void in the football world, which is still trying to come to terms with the loss.
What caused the car crash?
The two were travelling in a Lamborghini Urus SUV, which, according to reports, suffered a tyre blowout just after midnight while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 highway, at kilometre 65.300, near the town of Cernadilla, Zamora, just 15 kilometres from the Portugal border.
The car veered off the road, crashed, and instantly caught fire.
By the time firefighters arrived at the crash scene, the vehicle was completely burned out.
The charred remains of the two footballers could only be identified through their identification papers.
Debris is pictured along the A-52 motorway at the crash site where Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash near Cernadilla in Zamora province, northwestern Spain, early on July 3, 2025 [Cesar Manso/ AFP]Different angle of the crash site [Octavio Passos/Getty Images]
Why was Jota driving back to England?
Jota was travelling by car to catch a ferry from the Spanish port of Santander back to northern England after being advised not to fly as a result of a previous lung surgery, according to multiple media reports in Portugal and Spain.
His club side, Liverpool, are due to begin preseason training on Monday.
What was Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction?
Ronaldo, Portugal’s national team captain, was deeply shaken by the news of teammate Diogo Jota’s death.
“It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you had only just got married,” Ronaldo posted on the social media platform X.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We’ll all miss you.”
Ronaldo (#7) was there when Jota (#20) made his international debut for Portugal against Lithuania on November 14, 2019 at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal [Pedro Fiuza/NurPhoto via Getty Images]
Who was travelling with Jota?
His brother Andre Silva, his only sibling.
Though less known internationally, Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer.
He played for Futebol Clube Penafiel in Portugal’s second division and was previously part of FC Porto’s youth academy.
O Futebol Clube do Porto está de luto.
É com choque e profundo pesar que enviamos as sentidas condolências à família e amigos do Diogo Jota e irmão André Silva, que também foi nosso atleta nos escalões de formação.
Rute Cardoso has suddenly and painfully become the widow of Diogo Jota, less than two weeks after they were married at a ceremony in his home city of Porto on June 22.
Tributes are coming in following the passing of the popular footballer, who died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died following a car crash in Spain, according to a police report.
Jota, 28, had been travelling in the car with his brother Andre, 26, also a footballer, when the vehicle went off the road, according to the reporting by Portugal’s public broadcaster, TVE.
The tragedy comes just two weeks after Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto, in his native Portugal.
The following are quotes and reactions to his death:
Liverpool Football Club
“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.”
Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic. I extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports.”
Portuguese Football Federation
“The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Spain this morning.
“Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community … We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool player
“Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”
Ruben Neves, Portugal and Al Hilal midfielder
“They say that we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you … FC Porto is in mourning.
“It is with shock and deep regret 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.”
Sporting CP
“The world of football is poorer. Sporting CP expresses its sorrow at the death of Portuguese international Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Our deepest condolences go out to the whole family at this difficult time.”
