Liverpool manager Arne Slot has issued a statement following the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota.
Jota, aged 28, and his brother Andre Silva lost their lives in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning (July 3) in northwestern Spain.
The Guardia Civil confirmed the fatal incident to BBC Sport. Reports indicate that the vehicle they were traveling in caught fire, with the blaze later spreading to nearby vegetation, according to the Zamora Provincial Council.
“A tragic accident on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria has claimed the lives of two young individuals,” read a statement from the council.
Emergency crews from the Rionegro del Puente Fire Station responded to the scene.
“The car ignited, and the flames extended to the surrounding area,” the statement continued. “They were 28 and 26 years old. Rest in peace.”
Jota’s death comes just ten days after he wed his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso.
Tributes began to pour in from his former clubs – Porto, Wolves, Atletico Madrid, and Pacos de Ferreira – with Liverpool also releasing an official statement. Former Reds captain Jamie Carragher, ex-manager Jurgen Klopp, and Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also paid tribute via social media.
Later, at approximately 6:10 p.m., Liverpool FC published a message from Slot.
He wrote:
“What can one say in a moment like this, when the pain and disbelief are still so fresh? I wish I had the right words, but I know I don’t.
“All I can express are the deep emotions that so many of us feel for a player and person we cherished deeply, and for a family we care about immensely.
“My immediate thoughts are not as a football coach, but as a fellow human being — a father, brother, son, and uncle — who mourns alongside Diogo and Andre Silva’s loved ones during this unimaginable time.
“To them, my message is simple: you’ll never walk alone. The entire Liverpool family — players, staff, and fans — stands beside you. And from what I’ve witnessed today, so does the broader football community.”
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