Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to the man he brought to the Reds from Wolves in 2020.

In a statement on Instagram, Klopp says: “This is a moment where I struggle!

“There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it!

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre.

“Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.

“We will miss you so much.

“All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace – Love J.”

Diogo Jota married his long-term partner, Rute, last month, and recently shared footage online with the caption: “A day we will never forget.”

International team-mates of Diogo Jota have been reacting to the news of his passing on social media.

It’s less than a month since Portugal won the Uefa Nations League in the final against Spain, with Jota playing in that match.

Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes shared the post of Man Utd’s to his Instagram story which features an image of Jota, while others have delivered their own personal tributes.

Midfielder Ruben Neves: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”

Winger Rafael Leao: “Rest in peace brother.”

Defender Diogo Dalot: “Devastating.. Speechless.. Much strength to the family.”

Midfielder Pedro Goncalves: “My deepest condolences to the family.”

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa: “There are no words, rest in peace.”

Defender Renato Veiga: “No words. Rest in peace.”

Defender Danilo: “There is no suffering on earth that heaven cannot cure.”

Cristina García Casado
Reporting from Zamora province

Zamora, a town and province in north-western Spain, woke up today in shock to the news of the traffic accident involving Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André.

A province not accustomed to making headlines is now featured in the national and international press as the scene of an extraordinarily sad event.

The victims’ relatives have already arrived at the city’s forensic morgue, where DNA tests will be carried out to identify the bodies.

The accident occurred near a village in the province, Cernadilla (Sanabria), with only a hundred inhabitants, whose normal life has been disrupted by this tragedy as television crews from around the world have descended on the village.

The reason why the two football players were travelling on the province’s roads is not yet known, a question that people in Zamora are asking themselves today in cafes and workplaces.

It is a place close to the border with Portugal, which is the country of origin of both players and where the younger of the two played.

We are now getting images of the A-52 road near Zamora in Spain, close to the Portuguese border, where Diogo Jota and his brother died:

As we’ve been reporting, the Liverpool forward Diogo Jota died alongside his brother, André Silva, in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, overnight:

• The accident happened at around 00:30 local time (23:30 BST), when the car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another car, Spain’s Guardia Civil says
• The car then set on fire, they add in a statement
• The tragedy comes less than two weeks after Jota’s wedding to his long-term partner, and mother to his three children, Rute Cardoso
• Leading tributes from the football community, fellow Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo says news of his peer’s death ‘doesn’t make sense”
• Fans have gathered outside Anfield, Liverpool’s stadium, to lay floral tributes and pay their respects to Jota. Liverpool FC said the club was “devastated” to hear of the fatal crash, adding that they’ll continue to support his family and friends
• UEFA says it will hold a moment of silence during today’s Women’s Euro 2025 match between Spain and Portugal

Jonny Humphries

Fans from Everton and Manchester United have also paid their respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield.

Liverpool FC staff have placed black plastic buckets on a grassy area opposite the stadium’s Hillsborough memorial for fans to place flowers, while others have laid out replica kits and scarves.

Among the expected Liverpool themed tributes is a Manchester United scarf with ‘RIP Diogo, YNWA’ [You’ll Never Walk Alone] handwritten in marker pen. There is also an Everton replica kit with a similar message inscribed on it.

Jonny Humphries

Liverpool fan Andrea Molyneux made the journey to Anfield with her daughters Isabella and Lily Costello.

They were visibly upset when they spoke to the BBC about their “utter devastation” upon hearing the news of Diogo Jota’s death.

“Ican’t even comprehend the grief that the family are going through,” Andrea said told BBC Radio Merseyside’s Marc Gaier.

Isabella described a player “who always gave 100% and always played with a smile on his face.”

Liverpool legends Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have expressed their sadness on social media at the passing of Diogo Jota.

Jamie Carragher: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota & his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone of their family & friends, especially his wife Rute & their three lovely kids.”

Steven Gerrard: “RIP Diogo. Condolences to his family and friends during this incredibly sad time.”

In a heartfelt statement, the Portuguese national team says Jota was “not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person” who was respected by teammates and opponents alike.

The national team says he had a “contagious joy” and was “a reference point in his own community”.

Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez, who has played alongside Jota for the past three seasons, has posted this on Instagram:

“There are no words of comfort for so much pain.

“I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.

“I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.

“May he rest in peace. Diogo and Andre.”

We’re now hearing from the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), who says there will be a moment of silence held during today’s Women’s Euro 2025 match between Spain and Portugal.

The match will take place this evening at 20:00 BST.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has just offered his condolences to Diogo Jota’s friends and family after being asked about the Liverpool footballer at a media briefing.

He said: “Let me start with Jota because this is devastating news. I am sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.

“There are millions of Liverpool fans but also football fans and non-fans who will also be shocked by this.

“It is devastating and really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.”

Jonny Humphries

Liverpool fans at Anfield stadium have been sharing their reactions to the news this morning.

One supporter told the BBC’s Marc Gaier: “He’ll be remembered with a smile on his face, scoring goals for Liverpool. But in a time like this, football pales into insignificance.”

“He’s left a wife and three children behind, his brother’s passed away with him and his poor parents have lost their children.

“I mean, he’ll forever be remembered as a great Red for us, but when something like this happens, football doesn’t matter anymore.”

Manchester City: “Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to learn about the devastating news regarding the passing of Diogo Jota.We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool Football Club at this difficult time.Rest in peace, Diogo.”

Manchester United: “Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, and everyone connected with Liverpool FC following today’s heartbreaking news.”

Everton: “Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.”

We’re now hearing from Diogo Jota’s international team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who has posted a statement on social media:

“It doesn’t make sense,” he writes.

“Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married.”

Ronaldo sends his condolences to Jota’s family, wife and children, and adds: “I know you will always be with them.”

“Rest in Peace, Diogo e André. We will miss you.”

Daniel Austin
BBC Sport, at Anfield

Fans are beginning to gather outside Anfield, laying floral tributes and paying respects to Diogo Jota at Hillsborough memorial.

The Portuguese forward was adored by Liverpool supporters – the song fans sang about him taking the Reds “to victory” has been one of the most popular on the Kop throughout recent years of success.

Jota was a regular goal scorer but his tenacity, work rate and laid-back character endeared him further as man.

People in Liverpool are stunned and deeply saddened today.

Diogo Jota reached the pinnacle of his football career for both club and country this season, winning the Premier League title with Liverpool and helping Portugal to victory in the final of the Uefa Nations League.

He began his career with Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira and joined Atletico Madrid in 2016.

Jota had successful loan spells with both Porto and Wolves, helping the latter earn promotion to the Premier League in 2018 before making his move to Molineux a permanent one that summer.

After two years in the West Midlands, the forward sealed a £41m move to Liverpool and went on to score 65 goals in 182 appearances during five seasons at Anfield.

His honours with the Reds also included one FA Cup (2022) and two EFL Cup (2022 & 2024) winners medals.

On the international scene, Jota scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal.

The Football Association (FA) and the Premier League say they are “devastated” to hear of the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André.

Both have sent their deepest condolences to Diogo’s family, friends and team-mates in posts to social media.

“Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed,” the Premier League adds.

“The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name, and his brother is unexpected and tragic,” says Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

The prime minister sends his “deepest condolences” to the brothers’ family in a post on social media.

“It is a sad day for football and for national and international sports,” he adds.