Life is full of ironies. The one who brings light to others may be taken away before they can bask in it themselves.
On June 22, Liverpool attacker Diogo Jota and his long-time partner Rute Cardoso tied the knot, surrounded by their three children. Their wedding photos, taken inside a cathedral, quickly spread across social media, drawing admiration and heartfelt wishes from fans around the world. Sharing the images on X, Jota captioned them simply: “Yes, forever.” It would turn out to be his final post on the platform.
Rute and Jota had three children together — Denis, born in 2021; Duarte, in 2023; and a daughter born in 2024, whose name has not been publicly shared.
Just eleven days later, tragedy struck. A devastating car crash claimed the lives of Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 26, who was also a professional footballer. The brothers were killed around 1:30 AM when their car met with an accident at kilometer 65 of the A-52, heading towards Benavente near Zamora. While no other vehicle was involved, the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
FULL STORY | Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies in Zamora car accident, says reports
Diogo Jota made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. The former Porto striker won three major titles at Anfield: a Premier League title (2024–25), an FA Cup (2021–22), and a League Cup (2021–22).
• 22 de Junho de 2025 •
— Diogo Jota (@DiogoJota18) June 28, 2025
Sim, para sempre ♾️ pic.twitter.com/pZvQwKADgd
Reacting to the tragic news, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said: "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."
