Liverpool star, Diogo Jota has tragically died at the age of 28 following a road traffic accident in Spain.

The Liverpool forward passed away following an accident in Zamora, Spain on Thursday morning.

Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, later confirmed that Jota’s brother, Andre, 26, also died in the accident.

The news comes just under two weeks after the Portugal international got married to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso, with whom he has two children. They tied the knot on 22 June.

Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash with a statement which read: “The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora.

A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire.

“1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.

“From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”

Proenca paid tribute to Jota in a statement on social media shortly after the news broke.

He said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.

“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

Diogo Jota recently got married to Rute Cardoso”

The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.

“Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy.

“Portugal prime minister Luis Montenegro also paid tribute on social media.

He wrote: “The news of the death of Diogo Jota, an athlete who greatly honoured the name of Portugal, and his brother is unexpected and tragic.

“I leave the family my deepest condolences. It’s a sad day for football and for national and international sport.”

Jota’s previous club, FC Porto, also paid tribute to the forward and his brother.

They wrote: “FC Porto is in mourning. “It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks.

Rest in peace.”Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds, including six last season as the Reds won the Premier League title.

He also won the FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool and the Nations League twice with the Portugal national team.

The 16 teams remaining in the 2025 Club World Cup to compete for the trophy have been confirmed.

This follows the conclusion of the Group H games in the early hours of Friday.

Real Madrid defeated Salzburg 3-0, with goals from Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde, and Gonzalo Garcia.

The result saw Xabi Alonso’s men finish in top spot and they will face Juventus in the last 16.

Al Hilal beat Pachuca 2-1 and will take on Manchester City.

In other fixtures confirmed prior, Inter Milan face Fluminense and Monterrey are up against Borussia Dortmund.

Benfica play Chelsea on Saturday, while Palmeiras will clash with Botafogo in an all-Brazilian affair.

Paris Saint-Germain take on Inter Miami, in what has been dubbed the Lionel Messi Derby, while Flamengo square up against Bayern Munich.

(The Sun)

Seventeen Nigerian states have confirmed their participation in the 2025 Olympic Day celebrations.

The event will take place across the country on June 28.

The annual event, which promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, has gained momentum in recent years, with organisers expanding activities to encourage wider public participation.

This year, states including Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Taraba, Enugu, Delta, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, Anambra, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Kogi, Gombe, Osun, Imo and Lagos, home to the secretariat of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, will host a series of community-based events aimed at promoting health and fitness.

The celebration will feature a variety of non-competitive sporting activities such as jogging and walking, designed to encourage calorie burning, muscle toning, and overall wellbeing.