In a devastating turn of events, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota's beloved grandfather was killed in a horrific car crash as he watched his grandson play football on television.
Joaquim Silva, 76, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene of the accident near Porto, Portugal, on Sunday. The collision occurred around 5 pm local time—precisely as Mr. Silva was watching his grandson's Premier League match against Manchester United.
The Liverpool star learned of the unimaginable tragedy just moments after his team's thrilling 4-3 victory at Old Trafford. The emotional weight of scoring a crucial goal in extra time was instantly overshadowed by the heartbreaking news from his homeland.
A Life Cut Short in Instant
According to Portuguese media reports, the fatal accident involved three vehicles on the A4 motorway in Penafiel. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, Mr. Silva could not be saved.
The collision was so severe that it required firefighters to use specialized equipment to extract victims from the wreckage. Two other individuals involved in the crash sustained injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
A Grandfather's Pride
Joaquim Silva was known to be immensely proud of his grandson's extraordinary football career. From Diogo Jota's early days at Paços de Ferreira to his current status as a Premier League and Champions League winner with Liverpool, his grandfather had been a constant source of support and inspiration.
The cruel irony that Mr. Silva's final moments were spent watching the professional success he helped foster has added another layer of profound sadness to this tragedy.
Liverpool FC and the wider football community have been offering their condolences to the grieving player. The club is understood to be providing full support to Jota during this difficult time as he processes the sudden loss of his grandfather.
