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Diogo Jota dies aged 28: Live updates as Henderson lays flowers and Liverpool delay pre-season return

Liverpool star Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28.

The Portugal forward and his brother, Andre, were killed in a car crash in Spain on Thursday morning.

According to the Spanish Guardia Civil, the accident happened after Jota and his brother’s Lamborghini ‘left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking.’

Fresh details have revealed that he was travelling by car from Porto to get a ferry from Santander back to England.

The Portugal international had been advised by doctors not to fly back to Liverpool as he had undergone minor surgery.

News of Jota's death sent shockwaves throughout the football world, with tributes flooding in and fans leaving wreaths, scarves, shirts and flowers at a makeshift shrine outside Anfield.

Liverpool said the clubs is 'devastated' at the 'unimaginable loss' of their player, while Cristiano Ronaldo said the passing of his international teammate 'doesn't make sense'.

The player's funeral is now set for Saturday morning, while the Reds are set to delay their return to pre-season.

  • 'Unparalleled professional'

    Doctor Miguel Goncalves, who was treating Diogo Jota before his tragic death, has spoken about his final interaction with the forward.

    Goncalves helped the Portuguese international in his recovery from lung surgery.

    He saw the player on Wednesday evening before Jota and his brother set off in their car only to crash in the early hours of Thursday morning.

    He said: "I said goodbye to him and his brother, Andre, at around 8.30pm (on Wednesday).

    "His brother was a great companion and decided to go with him, to
    accompany him on the trip, and that way they would also spend more time together.

    "They were going to travel at night because it was cooler, but they weren't going direct. He told me that the journey would take about eight hours but that they would stop at a hotel in the Burgos area to rest. Diogo was very aware of his professionalism.

    "They were only supposed to arrive in Santander on Friday, catch the boat and then go to England. The family would arrive later by plane, organise their lives over the weekend and then, on Monday, they had a medical appointment scheduled in Liverpool to assess the situation.

    "I started working with him last Saturday and I was with him every day until this Wednesday. I said goodbye to him at dinner time. He made an extraordinary recovery, he was undoubtedly an unparalleled professional. He strictly followed what I told him, as you could see in the way he was recovering.

    "The base of his right lung had collapsed a little, but with the
    post-surgery physiotherapy he was practically flawless. When I left him he was no longer in pain and was going to return to Liverpool.

    "He was excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic about the next season. He told me that he would not go on the pre-season tour that Liverpool is going to Japan to strengthen his recovery, he believed he was going to have a great season."

  • Rivalries mean nothing

    Several Everton players have arrived at Anfield to pay their respects to Diogo Jota.

    Beto and Youssef Chermiti have made the short journey across Merseyside.

    They have joined the tens of thousands of people who have also put down at least one item in memory of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.

    Something like this proves just how closely connected the football world is, and the level of support has truly been heartwarming.

  • A poem for Diogo

    talkSPORT callers have provided us with some brilliant tributes to Diogo Jota and that is from Liverpool, Wolves and the wider football world.

    We have also received a beautiful poem about the 28-year-old.

    Natalie the Liverpool fan sent this poem in for us that Alan Brazil read out on Breakfast.

    It goes as follows: "Diogo, the number 20 shirt you wore.

    "You are the best, you always gave us your all.

    "With your magic trickery, you had defenders on the floor.

    "You gave us such excitement, you made Anfield roar.

    "We sang your iconic song every time you would score.

    "You are a legend forever, we will always adore.

    "We love you dearly from the core.

    "Can't believe you're not with us any more.

    "But we know You'll Never Walk Alone and will always be remembered for sure.

    "A red family member from the core."

  • Saying goodbye

    Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson couldn't hide his emotions when spotted at Anfield today.

    The England international could be seen placing a bouquet of flowers amongst the thousands of other tributes.

    Henderson was in tears as he said goodbye to his former teammate.

    Jota was involved in a tragic car accident on Thursday morning with his brother, Andre Silva.

    It is an incident that has left the whole football world in shock.

    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 04:  Former Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson reacts as he lays flowers and pays his respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The current Liverpool player and Portugal international Diogo Jota, 28,  was killed in a car crash yesterday in Zamora, Spain. He was travelling in a Lamborghini with his brother, returning to the UK for the start of the Premier League season, when the car crashed after a tyre blowout while overtaking a car. Jota leaves behind his wife of two weeks, Rute, and their three young children. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
    LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 04:  Former Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson lays flowers and pays his respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield on July 04, 2025 in Liverpool, England. The current Liverpool player and Portugal international Diogo Jota, 28,  was killed in a car crash yesterday in Zamora, Spain. He was travelling in a Lamborghini with his brother, returning to the UK for the start of the Premier League season, when the car crashed after a tyre blowout while overtaking a car. Jota leaves behind his wife of two weeks, Rute, and their three young children. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
  • Delayed

    Liverpool have postponed the return of their players to pre-season training.

    Certain players were scheduled to be back on Merseyside today, but following the news of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva's tragic death, the Reds have delayed the start of pre-season.

    Liverpool's first game ahead of the new Premier League campaign getting underway is scheduled for July 13.

    Arne Slot's men are set to take on Preston North End.

  • Salah's words

    Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has now posted his tribute to Diogo Jota.

    The Egyptian forward was another who spent Jota's entire career at Anfield with him, and they often linked up on the pitch.

    And after Jota and his brother, Andre Silva's, tragic death, Salah has posted some lovely words.

    In an Instagram statement, he said: "I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.

    "Team mates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.

    "My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children.

    "Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten."

  • 'They are special people'

    talkSPORT's Troy Deeney has paid tribute to the people of Liverpool for uniting after the tragic death of Diogo Jota.

    Everton and Liverpool fans have all placed items and flowers to remember the forward and his brother, who both sadly passed away in a tragic car accident on Thursday morning.

    Speaking on talkSPORT's White and Jordan show, Deeney said: "They are special people the Scousers, and I just think Liverpool as a football club always seem to come out of these situations bigger, better and handle themselves with so much class and dignity.

    "Liverpool will handle it with respect and class.

    "Diogo and his family need that, and it's a strange topic to be talking about losing someone who is 28 years old, let's put that into perspective.

    "He just got married and has kids, and a little bit of my heart is pumping a bit weird because it doesn't feel right to be having this conversation."

  • Respectful

    We have already mentioned how there was a minute's silence before Portugal and Spain's game in the Women's European Championship, but it went beyond that.

    Fans and players were clearly emotional ahead of the game as his picture was shown on the big screen while everyone in the stadium stopped to reflect.

    And after the match, the Portugal players gathered in front of a huge banner paying tribute to Jota.

    The 28-year-old and his brother, Andre Silva, sadly lost their lives on Thursday morning after they were involved in a fatal car crash.

    The funeral is set to be held on Saturday in Porto.

  • 'Diogo MacJota'

    The tributes for Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, have been non-stop, and Andrew Robertson's is particularly heartfelt.

    The Liverpool left-back was with Jota throughout his time at Anfield and clearly had a special bond with the forward.

    In a statement, he said: "The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear.

    "I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre.

    "For the team and the club, we’ll try to cope with this together… however long that takes.

    "For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.

    "He was the most British foreign player I’ve ever met.

    "We used to joke he was really Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.

    "We’d watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had.

    "The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day.

    "I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.

    "I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."

  • Paying respects

    On The Sports Bar last night, Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy paid tribute to the man and player Diogo Jota.

    The Portuguese international and his brother, Andre Silva, sadly passed away after being involved in a car crash on Thursday morning.

    The duo were travelling to Granada to catch a ferry to Plymouth for Jota to return to pre-season training with Liverpool.

    The tyre on their car blew out causing a horrific crash.

    And the two Sports Bar hosts paid their respects.

    Cundy said: "There are no words.

    "The first person that told me about it was you when I woke up. You put it in The Sports Bar group, and I had to check it.

    "I had to go on social media to try and find out what happened."

    O'Hara responded: "I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing - it doesn't make sense.

    "It really affected me. I have really struggled to come to terms with it because of his family, his children, and I loved watching him play football.

    "It's just such a sad, sad terrible day, and the only thing we can do is pay tribute and celebrate his life."

  • Unprecedented

    The tributes for Diogo Jota kept coming in last night as the football world continues to react to the dreadful news.

    The Liverpool player and his brother, Andre Silva were involved in a fatal car crash on Thursday morning in Spain.

    Thousands of items have been placed at Anfield, and people kept going in the middle of the night to pay their respects.

    There was a minute's silence during Portugal Women's game against Spain the European Championships, and his funeral will be held on Saturday in Porto - his home city.

  • Pedro Neto decision

    Chelsea will allow Pedro Neto to miss their Club World Cup quarter-final clash on compassionate leave following Diogo Jota's tragic passing.

    The Blues winger played alongside the late Liverpool icon at Wolves, while they duo also starred for Portugal's national team together.

    And Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has declared Neto is free to skip the upcoming match with Palmeiras to grieve his close friend.

    Maresca said: "Pedro is very sad, probably more than sad.

    "But we are close to Pedro to support him in this moment. It's completely Pedro's decision [if he wants to play]. I had a chat with him this morning, and we support him. Any decision he takes is the right one.

    "We will support him in any case. If he is on the pitch tomorrow or not, we will support him.

    "It's very sad day, and I struggle to find words. It's very difficult, the feeling that you have is helplessness in this situation.

    "The only thing I can say is all my love for his [Jota's] family in this big tragedy."

  • Jota funeral

    Mourners have continued to leave tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre following the news of their tragic deaths.

    The Liverpool player and his footballer brother died in a car crash on Thursday morning in news that shocked the football world.

    It had initially been reported a funeral had been arranged for Friday, one day after the tragedy but this has now been confirmed for Saturday morning in their native Portugal.

    Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz at 10am.

    A flag at Anfield, the stadium that saw so many of the Liverpool star's goals, was lowered to half-mast. The club who are supporting Jota's family, have opened a book of condolence, both physical in the Anfield Road Stand and online.

    Callers also phoned talkSPORT to pay their respects, while one suggested the club retire his no.20 shirt.

    Jota won 49 caps and scored 14 goals for Portugal and ended the season as a Premier League and Nations League winner, while he also got married less than two weeks ago.

    Liverpool fans want the number 20 shirt retired

  • 'Our lad from Portugal'

    Liverpool have posted a touching montage in homage to Diogo Jota on their social media platforms.

    Uploaded alongside the caption: "Our lad from Portugal. Forever," the 3-minute video is made up footage and photographs of the Portuguese forward from throughout his life.

    Quotes from Jota in previous interviews were used to narrate the moving tribute, which charts his journey from a child up until to winning the Premier League with the Reds last season.

    Jota can be heard saying: "When I was a kid, I wanted to play in the Premier League but I didn’t even imagine to win it, I just wanted to be there playing. I knew it was the best league in the world.

    “I achieved the moment, I fulfilled my dream when I played for Wolverhampton, because I was there.

    "But then when you achieve a dream you unlock another phase, another level, another step and when I came to Liverpool I knew that was possible.

    "I did it in the end."

  • Portugal Women pay tribute

    Portugal's women's team held up a banner dedicated to Diogo Jota at the end of their opening match against Spain at the Women's European Championships.

    After suffering a 5-0 defeat to the world champions, Portugal's players gathered on the pitch to pay tribute to the Liverpool star.

    The banner, which had been displayed by fans at the match, featured the national team's emblem against a black background.

    It read: "Thank you for everything Diogo Jota. Rest in Peace," and also marked his year of birth and date.

  • 'Truly devastated'

    Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate has shared a moving tribute to his teammate Diogo Jota in an emotional Instagram post.

    Alongside a video montage himself and the forward together, he wrote: "Diogo... I still can’t believe it. I’m devastated. I have no words to express my feelings.

    "Beyond the extraordinary footballer you were, there was an exceptional man, a friend, and brother! May you and André rest in peace.

    "I am truly devastated by this news. This club, this family that we shared together, will never forget you! I think back to all the moments we shared and I still can’t believe it, they all seemed perfect... You can be sure of one thing: your family won’t walk alone. We’ll be there to help them through this devastating moment.

    "I would like to address the world: today it’s Diogo and his brother. Yesterday it was someone else. Tomorrow it could be us. Let’s enjoy every moment that life offers us, with our families, friends, even strangers. Let’s try to live in peace and send each other love. We don’t know what tomorrow brings.

    "I LOVE YOU, MY BROTHER."

  • Emotional

    Ahead of Portugal's game against Spain in the Women's European Championships, there was a powerful tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.

    The duo were shown on the big screens, while fans had pictures of the Portuguese international

    There was a minute's silence for the pair, who sadly passed away in a car accident in the early hours of this morning.

    It was an extremely emotional moment as the football world stopped to pay their respects.

  • 'Rightly immortalised'

    Liverpool have now posted a tribute to Diogo Jota in which they have said the number 20 will be 'immortalised'.

    This isn't them officially saying they are going to retire the shirt, but it is merely an indication of what he brought to the club.

    In a heartfelt message, they said: “He will take us to victory,” sang the Liverpool fans in his honour – and Diogo Jota so often did exactly that.

    "The Portugal forward, who has tragically passed away in a road traffic accident at the age of 28, was a truly clutch figure for the Reds, in just the right place when his team needed his finishing knack.

    "A cool head on the pitch – just remember his 94th-minute Anfield decider against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2023 – and a respected and much-loved teammate off it.

    "What cruelly has proved to be his final flourish in football saw Jota become a Premier League champion and a UEFA Nations League winner.

    "The No.20 will be rightly immortalised for his contributions as part of Liverpool’s 2024-25 title-winners – the club’s 20th – with his trademark shimmy and strike in front of the Kop to seal victory in April’s Merseyside derby a poignant last goal of his life."

  • Funeral set

    Diogo Jota's funeral will take place tomorrow at 3pm São Cosme, which is in his home city of Porto.

    It is also the location he and his childhood sweetheart, Rute, married just two weeks ago.

    Hearses were spotted arriving at the Spanish town of Puebla de Sanabria, where the body of Jota and his brother Andre Silva were taken.

    Jota was driving to Granada to get a ferry to the UK after he was advised not to fly following lung surgery.

    The tyre on his Lamborghini blew out while attempting to overtake, and the car crashed.

    Tragically, the brothers died at the scene.

  • Owners' thoughts

    Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group have also released a statement about Diogo Jota.

    The forward tragically lost his life with his brother early on Thursday morning after a car crash.

    The tributes have been rolling in since, and the Liverpool owners are the latest to pay their respects

    They said: "On behalf of the leadership teams at Liverpool Football Club and Fenway Sports Group, we offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our number 20, Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre Silva.

    "This tragic situation and the reality of it is truly shocking, devastating and has left us numb with grief. We therefore cannot imagine how the immediate and wider family of these remarkable brothers must be feeling. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with them all.

    "We all know what Diogo could do on the field of play and the vital role he played in our successes since he joined this club in 2020. How he quickly became a firm fan favourite, and his song reverberated around Anfield and in stadiums across the world.

    "So many special moments, so many special memories.

    "But beyond the player that we all knew was a wonderfully humble human being, he was sincere, intelligent, funny, tough and created connections with people everywhere he went. He had a zest for life that was utterly contagious. Diogo was a loving father, son, husband and brother, and we, and everyone who knew him, will miss him deeply as we all try to process the enormity of today.

    "Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. You Will Never Walk Alone.

    "Billy, John, Tom, Mike."

  • Arne Slot speaks

    Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has spoken for the first time since the passing of forward Diogo Jota was announced.

    Slot said in a letter published on Liverpool's club media: "What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.

    "All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.

    "My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.

    "My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.

    "This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.

    "For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.

    "I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.

    "There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.

    "The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.

    "When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.

    "That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.

    "My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva.

    "When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.

    "His name is Diogo."

  • Tributes

    Books of condolences have been opened to fans to pay their tributes following the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.

    A club statement read: "We have opened physical and digital books of condolence, following the devastating passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.

    "Supporters and members of the public can sign the physical book, which will be placed in the Anfield Road Stand reception area at Anfield during the following hours:

    "Thursday, July 3 – 5pm-9pm, with a limited number of books available this evening

    "Friday, July 4 – 9am-9pm

    "Saturday, July 5 – 9am-5pm

    "Sunday, July 6 – 9am-5pm

    "The online book of condolence is available to be signed on our website, and is accessible to fans across the globe.

    "As well as the books of condolence, flags have been lowered to half-mast at Anfield. All club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday July 7 and staff have been offered well-being support, should they need it."

  • Respect

    FIFA have announced that the four Club World Cup quarter-finals will have a minute's silence to remember Diogo Jota and his brother.

    A few of the remaining clubs have been holding their own moments of reflection today.

    But there is set to be an official recognition of the 28-year-old.

    Jota tragically died in the early hours of this morning after a car crash in Spain.

  • It means more

    With the tragic news that Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva have passed away, thousands of fans have been at Anfield today.

    They have been putting down tributes to the Reds star after he was involved in a fatal car crash in the early hours of this morning.

    And footage has emerged showing an Everton supporter placing a bunch of flowers.

    It shows that football rivalries mean nothing in the grand scheme of things and the football world is all united after this dreadful incident.

  • 'Love you and miss you'

    The tributes for Diogo Jota continue to roll in.

    Liverpool teammate Federico Chiesa is the latest player to share his thoughts on the tragic news.

    In an Instagram post, he said: "Diogo, it's hard to find the right words at a time like this.

    "I still can't believe what happened. Love you and miss you so much. My thoughts are with you and your brother Andre, rest in peace.

    "To your family, to your wife and children, I send my most sincere and heartfelt condolences."

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