The sister of Liverpool and Portugal footballer Diogo Jota has challenged the official police review into the car crash that killed him and his brother André Silva. Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, died when their Lamborghini veered off a road in Zamora, north-western Spain, early on Thursday. The cause of the accident has not been confirmed, but Spain's Civil Guard said it believed the car had sustained a puncture while overtaking, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle burst into flames, and firefighters extinguished a blaze in the surrounding vegetation.
Jota's sister, who has not been named, has questioned the police findings, calling for a more thorough investigation. The brothers' funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning in the Gondomar area of Porto, where they grew up. Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before the crash, and leaves behind three children.
Liverpool expressed devastation at the loss, with head coach Arne Slot describing Jota as 'a loved one to all of us' and 'the essence of what a Liverpool player should be'. Former manager Jürgen Klopp posted on Instagram that he was 'heartbroken', writing: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!'
Tributes poured in from across the football world. Cristiano Ronaldo said the death 'doesn’t make any sense', while Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish said: 'Football is not important at this sad time. You feel helpless, knowing there’s so little we can do to ease the pain for his wife of just two weeks, his three beautiful children.' Fans laid flowers, shirts and scarves at Anfield, where a book of condolence has been opened. Flags at the stadium and Liverpool town hall were lowered to half-mast.
Jota joined Liverpool for £41m in 2020, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances. He won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup with the club, and the Championship title with Wolves. He also won the Nations League twice with Portugal, his last game being the final on 8 June. Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: 'Just three weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting Diogo Jota with a medal after the Uefa Nations League final – a moment of joy, pride, and celebration that will now for ever be burned in memory with sorrow.'
