Cristiano Ronaldo expressed disbelief following the devastating news that his Portuguese teammate, Diogo Jota, died in a car accident in Spain on Thursday morning.
The club announced that Jota, 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, aged 25, had passed away just weeks after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children.
“This doesn’t make sense,” Ronaldo remarked in Portuguese on social media platforms like X and Instagram. “We were just together on the national team. You’ve just gotten married. To your family, your wife, and your kids, I extend my condolences. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them: Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre.”
Ronaldo and Jota played pivotal roles in the Portuguese national team’s recent victory over Spain in the Nations League final last month.
Jota also celebrated notable victories during his career, including the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and the Premier League with Liverpool in May.
In a statement, the club described Jota’s passing as “devastating.”
“Liverpool FC has no further comments at this time and is asking for privacy for Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates, and club staff,” the club stated.
Jota and Silva, who previously played for lower-division team Penafiel in Portugal, died when their Lamborghini veered off the road and tragically caught fire shortly after midnight, according to police reports.
Authorities are investigating the crash and considering the possibility that a tire blowout may have contributed to the accident while attempting to overtake another vehicle. It remains unclear who was driving the car.
Ronaldo, who recently rejoined Saudi club Al Hilal, is among many in the sports community, including NBA star LeBron James, who paid homage to Jota and Silva following their deaths.
Jota and Cardoso welcomed their third child in December of the previous year.
In his international career, Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal, netting 14 goals.
