Liverpool FC footballer Diogo Jota and his brother killed in car crash in north of Spain

Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva have died in a car accident in Zamora, northwestern Spain, after their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire early on Thursday morning.

The crash occurred on the A-52 motorway between the towns of Asturianos and Cernadilla.

Emergency services were alerted around midnight after several calls reported a vehicle had left the road at kilometre 65 and was engulfed in flames. The fire then spread to the surrounding vegetation.

According to regional emergency service 112, paramedics from Mombuey’s health centre and a medicalised unit were dispatched but could only confirm the deaths of Jota, 28, and Silva, 26.

A tyre blowout is being investigated as a possible cause.

Silva played for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division, while Jota was an established international for whom it was a big summer.

In May, he lifted the Premier League trophy with Liverpool, following it up with victory with Portugal in the Nations League, defeating Spain in the final. He then married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso on 22 June and leaves behind three children.

Liverpool, who signed Jota five years ago from Wolverhampton Wanderers for 45 million euros, released a statement saying they were “devastated by the tragic passing” of their player. They asked for privacy for the family and confirmed they would continue to support those affected.

Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, described the loss as “irreparable” and said “all of Portuguese football is completely devastated”. He has requested a minute’s silence ahead of Portugal’s women’s match against Spain on Thursday evening.

Atlético Madrid, who once held Jota’s rights but never fielded him in a competitive match, also expressed their condolences, saying they were “shocked” and wished peace for the players’ loved ones.