Diogo Jota Dies in Tragic Car Accident: Global Tributes Flood In | NBA News
The world of sports is in mourning following the tragic death of Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward, who died in a car accident in Spain alongside his younger brother, André Silva. The devastating incident has prompted an outpouring of grief from across the footballing and sporting communities, with tributes coming from teammates, rivals, and global icons—including NBA superstar and Liverpool FC part-owner LeBron James.
The Tragic Accident the Claimed the Life of Diogo Jota
In the early hours of July 3, 2025, Diogo Jota and his 26-year-old brother André were traveling in a Lamborghini in the Spanish province of Zamora when the car’s tire blew out while overtaking another vehicle. The car veered off the road, caught fire, and both brothers were declared dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved, and authorities are investigating the circumstances further.The tragedy struck less than two weeks after Jota’s wedding to his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple, high-school sweethearts, had three young children together. Jota’s last social media post was a video from his wedding day, captioned, “A day we will never forget”.
LeBron James’ Tribute to the Deceased Diogo Jota
LeBron James, who has been a part-owner of Liverpool FC through Fenway Sports Group since 2011, was among the first global sports figures to publicly honor Jota. On his official X account, James wrote: “My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️”The acronym “YNWA”—“You’ll Never Walk Alone”—is the anthem of Liverpool FC and a message of solidarity, especially poignant in moments of loss. James’ tribute reflects his close connection to the club and its players, even if his personal relationship with Jota was not widely publicized. As a high-profile owner and ambassador, LeBron James’ words resonated deeply with Liverpool fans and the wider sports world.
The Impact of Jota’s Passing
Jota’s death has left a profound mark on football. He was a key figure for Liverpool since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and helping the club secure the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal and was part of the squad that won the UEFA Nations League.Tributes poured in from fellow athletes and public figures. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s football legend, wrote: “It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world”.Liverpool FC expressed its devastation and requested privacy for Jota’s family, while fans gathered at Anfield to lay flowers, shirts, and scarves in his memory. The city of Liverpool flew its town hall flag at half-mast, and UEFA announced a minute’s silence before matches at the Women’s European Championship.
Honoring Diogo Jota’s Legacy
Diogo Jota’s legacy will endure through the memories of his achievements on the pitch and the lives he touched off it. As LeBron James and countless others have shown, the global sports community stands together in honoring his memory, offering comfort to his family, teammates, and fans during this unimaginable loss.
