The football world is mourning the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, a forward for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, who died early this morning in a car accident near the municipality of Cernadilla, in the Zamora province of northwestern Spain. He was 28 years old.

The incident took place around 12:30 a.m. local time. According to Spain’s Civil Guard, the vehicle—a Lamborghini—suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, causing the driver to lose control. The car crashed and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of both occupants.

Also killed in the crash was Jota’s brother, professional footballer André Silva. Jota had married just last month and was the father of three children.

A brilliant career cut short

Jota had a successful career both at the club level and on the international stage. In the most recent season, he played a key role in Liverpool's championship campaign, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances. Over his time with the Reds, he helped the team secure three major trophies.

On the international front, Jota contributed to Portugal’s victories in two UEFA Nations League titles and was a regular under coach Roberto Martínez.

Clubs, players, and football organizations around the world have expressed their grief and condolences. UEFA and FIFA also issued statements honoring the striker’s talent, sportsmanship, and legacy.