Liverpool’s Diogo Jota Tragically Dies in Car Crash Days After Being Advised Not to Fly Post-SurgeryDiogo Jota, the 28-year-old Liverpool forward, tragically died in a car accident alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in the early hours of Thursday morning in north-west Spain.
The pair were reportedly en route to Santander to board a ferry to the UK when Jota’s Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle.Jota had recently undergone lung surgery and had been advised by medical professionals not to fly, prompting him to make the journey by road and sea instead.
Reports indicate that he was heading back to Liverpool to begin pre-season training, which was scheduled to start on Monday. A ferry from Santander to Plymouth was due to depart at 4 p.m.
Thursday, with arrival expected the following morning.Andre Silva, Jota’s brother, was a professional footballer playing as a centre-back for Portuguese club Penafiel.
The crash occurred just 10 miles from the Portuguese border, on a road known for its dangers.The news has sent shockwaves through the football world, particularly in Merseyside, where Jota was loved by fans and teammates alike.
Known for his passion and ever-present smile on the pitch, Jota leaves behind a lasting legacy at Liverpool. Since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, he made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He played a key role in helping the club win the Premier League title.
Jota is survived by his recently married childhood sweetheart, his parents, and three young children — a painful reminder of how swiftly life can change.
Journalists in Portugal have confirmed that Jota’s decision to avoid flying was directly linked to medical advice.
Rui Laura of CNN Portugal revealed that his lung surgery made flying inadvisable. Fellow journalist Victor Pinto also noted that Jota occasionally chose road travel due to recurring pulmonary discomfort, opting for ferries when heading to the UK.Liverpool FC released a public statement expressing condolences and requesting privacy for the family and those mourning the loss.
Tributes have since poured in from across the football world, including from Jurgen Klopp, Steven Gerrard, and Cristiano Ronaldo.Jota’s tragic passing is a profound loss, not just for Liverpool but for football as a whole — a reminder that some things far outweigh the game.