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On the first of two rest days at the FIFA Club World Cup, tragic news from Spain shakes the football world: the Liverpool striker dies alongside his brother André in a fatal car crash
Day 19 of the Club World Cup currently underway in the United States was meant to be a quiet break ahead of the quarterfinals, but the football world was rocked by devastating news from Spain: Diogo Jota, striker for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, died overnight in a car accident alongside his brother André. The international football community is in shock.
The Facts
While the Club World Cup took a scheduled pause in the U.S. ahead of the quarterfinals — set for Friday and Saturday — tragedy struck far from the pitch. Diogo Jota, star forward for Liverpool and Portugal, lost his life in a car crash in Spain during the night. He was 28 years old. His younger brother, André, also a professional footballer aged 26, was killed in the same accident.
The incident occurred near Palacios de Sanabria, in the Spanish province of Zamora. According to early reports, the vehicle the brothers were traveling in veered off the road and caught fire. Residents who witnessed the crash alerted emergency services, but there was nothing that could be done: the car was engulfed in flames, and both men were trapped inside. The fire also spread to nearby vegetation. Spanish authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.
Jota was on vacation, as Liverpool had not qualified for this edition of the Club World Cup. He had just gotten married ten days prior, on June 22, and leaves behind a wife and three children.
His Career
Born in Massarelos, Portugal, and developed at Paços de Ferreira, Jota’s rise began in 2016 with a move to Atlético Madrid. After a loan spell at Porto and a subsequent breakthrough in the Premier League with Wolverhampton, he joined Liverpool in the summer of 2020 for €44 million. With the Reds, he won the Premier League and earned the admiration of fans with his selflessness, skill, and instinct for goal. His final appearance came on June 8, when he helped Portugal defeat Spain in the Nations League final.
The Football World Reacts
Across Club World Cup training camps, club facilities, and social media, grief has been immediate and widespread. The football community mourns the loss of not only an exceptional talent but a person cherished and respected by teammates and rivals alike. Messages of condolence are pouring in from all over the globe.
What was supposed to be a routine pause in the tournament has instead become a moment of solemn reflection. Not a break for rest — but a silence of mourning.
L’articolo The Club World Cup on Hold, Football Mourns: Diogo Jota Dies at 28 proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
