By Kwame Bediako
Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota tragically died in a car accident near Zamora, Spain, after marrying his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, on June 22, 2025. The 28-year-old footballer and his brother, Andre Silva, both lost their lives when their vehicle left the road and caught fire on the A52 highway. The Portuguese Football Association confirmed the deaths, sending shockwaves through the football community.
Jota and Cardoso celebrated their wedding on June 22, 2025, in a private ceremony in Porto, Portugal, surrounded by close family and their three children: sons Dinis and Duarte and a daughter born in 2024. In the days before his death, Jota shared heartwarming photos and a video of the wedding on social media, capturing intimate moments of the couple dancing to a live band and preparing for the ceremony. His caption read: “A day we will never forget,” a phrase now laden with poignant meaning.
The wedding video, posted just hours before the fatal crash, quickly went viral as fans and fellow athletes mourned the loss of a player admired for his skill, professionalism, and humanity. Rute Cardoso also shared clips from the special day, expressing the joy and hope the couple felt before their lives were abruptly shattered. She remains in Portugal, supported by family and focused on protecting their children through this devastating time.
Diogo Jota’s career was marked by his rise from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Liverpool in 2020 for a transfer fee exceeding £40 million. Despite battling injuries, he was a key contributor to Liverpool’s successes, including the Premier League title under manager Arne Slot. His sudden death represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football and the global game, with tributes pouring in from across the sporting world.
The tragic accident near Zamora has left a profound void in football and in the lives of those who knew Jota personally. His final social media posts immortalize a joyful chapter in his life, now forever remembered as a bittersweet farewell. Investigations into the crash continue, but the legacy of Diogo Jota as a talented player and devoted family man endures.
