‘It doesn’t make sense…’: Cristiano Ronaldo pays tribute to Diogo Jota after Portugal teammate’s death in tragic car crash

A statement from Zamora Provincial Council read: “Two young people die in an accident on the A-52 (Palacios de Sanabria).

“The Rionegro del Puente Fire Station (Northern Zone of the @DiputacionZA Consortium) responded. The vehicle caught fire, and the flames spread to the vegetation.

“They were 28 and 26 years old. RIP.”

The Liverpool forward was a part of the UEFA Nations League-winning Portugal squad, led by Ronaldo, and also played in the final against Spain. After the 40-year-old Ronaldo scored the equaliser and exited the field with an injury before the end of 90 minutes, Jota came on as a substitute for the last 15 minutes of extra time before Portugal clinched the title 5-3 on penalties.

Jota is survived by his wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he married only two weeks ago in a ceremony in Porto and three children.

Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… pic.twitter.com/H1qSTvPoQs

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025

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Ronaldo wrote: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married. To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

Jota made 49 appearances for Portugal since his debut in 2019 and joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2020, making 182 appearances for the club. Jota scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists for Liverpool, contributing to two Premier League titles, including the recently concluded 2024-25 season.

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” a club statement read.

“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre. “Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. “We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

The Portuguese Football Federation also stated that they have requested that the UEFA observe a minute’s silence before the national team’s match against Spain in the Women’s European Championship on Thursday.

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