Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva have died in a car crash in Spain - with the Reds star's wife, Rute Cardoso, forced to identify the pair.
Jota and his subling were killed when their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout in Zamora on Thursday morning.
The accident caused a fire that engulfed the vehicle, leaving devastating wreckage by the roadside. Medical personnel who arrived at the scene confirmed both occupants had died.
The brothers were identified by Jota's wife Cardoso, whom the footballer had married just two weeks before the tragedy. The couple have three children together.
Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva have died in a car crash in Spain - with the Reds star's wife, Rute Cardoso, forced to identify the pair
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Liverpool Football Club confirmed the devastating news in a statement, describing themselves as "devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota."
A Civil Guard spokesman in Zamora confirmed investigators believe the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout based on road markings at the scene.
"The investigation into the crash is being carried out by Civil Guard traffic officers," the spokesman said.
The official added that a full police report would take approximately four to five days to complete and would be submitted to a duty court in Zamora.
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Diogo Jota's tragic death comes just weeks after the Liverpool star got marriedINSTAGRAMThe investigation will determine the approximate speed of the vehicle from evidence including skid marks.
"What I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no-one else was hurt," the spokesman added.
Cardoso told police the brothers had planned to spend Wednesday night in Benavente before continuing their journey on Thursday, reports The Mirror.
Their intended destination was Santander, where they would catch a ferry to Portsmouth.
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It was a relative who first raised the alarm when the brothers failed to arrive in Benavente as expected. Portuguese authorities later confirmed their identities through documentation.
Following the tragedy, psychological support was arranged for Jota's wife. Personal belongings that survived the Lamborghini fire were recovered and returned to her.
The footballer leaves behind his wife and their three young children, having celebrated his wedding just days before the fatal journey.
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Liverpool FC requested privacy for "Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff" as they cope with "an unimaginable loss." The club pledged to continue providing full support to those affected.
Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances after joining Liverpool from Wolves in 2020.
His honours included the Premier League title last season, plus the FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool, and two Nations League triumphs with Portugal.
Diogo Jota poses with the Premier League trophy that Liverpool won last season
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Former Wolves teammate Ruben Neves paid tribute on social media: "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!"
Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota's Portugal colleague, wrote: "Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married."
He offered condolences to Jota's family, adding: "R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."
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