The football community is in mourning following the devastating news that Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Filipe Teixeira da Silva, died in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025.
The accident occurred in the municipality of Cernadilla, in the northwestern province of Zamora, Spain.
According to Spanish authorities, the vehicle veered off the motorway after suffering a tyre blowout while attempting to overtake another car. The car caught fire shortly after leaving the road, and both brothers were confirmed dead at the scene.
AFP reported: “The Civil Guard said a vehicle veered off a motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla in the northwestern province of Zamora, confirming the deaths of Jota and his brother Andre Felipe.”
The tragedy comes just weeks after Diogo Jota’s wedding, adding to the heartbreak for his family, friends, and fans.
Jota, 28, was renowned for his career with clubs including Atlético Madrid, FC Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool, and the Portugal national team. His brother, André Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer, most recently playing for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.
Born on April 28, 2000, in Gondomar, Portugal, André Silva had been steadily building his career before the accident.
Here are five key things to know about André Silva:
1. A versatile attacking midfielder
André Silva was admired for his adaptability on the field. While primarily an attacking midfielder, he was also effective on either wing, using his technical ability and vision to support his team’s attack.
2. Came through Porto’s youth academy
Silva began his football journey at his local club, Gondomar S.C., before joining FC Porto’s youth academy in 2011. He spent six formative years at the club, developing alongside many of Portugal’s top young prospects.
3. Played for several Portuguese clubs
Following his time at Porto, Silva had spells with Paços de Ferreira, Padroense (on loan), Famalicão U23, and Boavista U23. He returned to Gondomar in 2021 before joining Penafiel in 2023, showing dedication and resilience throughout his career.
4. Building momentum at Penafiel
Silva had become a reliable presence at Penafiel, making 62 appearances and scoring seven goals over two seasons. He was showing clear signs of growth and had begun to make his mark in professional football.
5. Will be honoured across European football
In tribute to both Diogo Jota and André Silva, UEFA has announced that a minute’s silence will be observed at all Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying matches on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4. These include key fixtures such as Belgium vs Italy, Denmark vs Sweden, and Germany vs Poland.
“UEFA announces that a moment of silence will be observed at all of today’s and tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 matches in memory of Portugal international and Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva who tragically passed away today,” the organization said in a statement.
