Sports
JUST IN: Liverpool star Diogo Jota, brother dies in car crash days after his wedding
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.
Sports
FIFA confirms release of official World Cup 2026 song “Dai Dai” by Shakira, Burna Boy
Featuring motivational lyrics centered on resilience, ambition, and unity, “Dai Dai” pays homage to football legends including Pelé, Diego Maradona, Paolo Maldini, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta, David Beckham, Kaká, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Mohamed Salah.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has confirmed the release of “Dai Dai,” the official anthem for the FIFA World Cup 2026 track via Sony Music Latin and its immediate availability on all major streaming platforms.
“Dai Dai” was performed by global superstar Shakira in an collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy.
Featuring motivational lyrics centered on resilience, ambition, and unity, “Dai Dai” pays homage to football legends including Pelé, Diego Maradona, Paolo Maldini, Romário, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta, David Beckham, Kaká, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Mohamed Salah.
The Colombian singer made the announcement herself on social media on Friday, posting: “Dai Dai is here. The @FIFAWorldCup 2026 starts now!”
“Dai Dai” also celebrates various football nations such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, the United States, England, Germany, France, South Africa, Spain, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
Beyond its infectious rhythm, the anthem carries a meaningful purpose. All royalties from “Dai Dai” will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million by the end of the tournament.
Sports
Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline FIFA World Cup final halftime show
The halftime show lineup was announced yesterday by Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin, who is curating the show.
Pop music superstars Shakira, Madonna and BTS are set to headline the World Cup’s first-ever halftime performance, which is slated to take place July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.Organisers are calling the halftime show a “singular moment’ that will be broadcast live globally.
The halftime show lineup was announced yesterday by Coldplay’s lead singer, Chris Martin, who is curating the show.
In the announcement, Martin took performance suggestions from several Muppets, including Elmo, Miss Piggy and Cookie Monster.
“How about Madonna? Elmo loves Madonna,” Elmo said. The beloved Sesame Street character then called BTS on speed dial to confirm whether they would join the show.
“Shakira’s in, and she’s bringing cookies,” said Elmo.
The selection of musical acts appears to be a reflection of the international teams reflected in the World Cup, per the Washington Post.
Shakira, from Colombia, was scheduled to release “Dai Dai,” the official World Cup song, yesterday. The song also features Nigerian singer Burna Boy.
The “Whenever, Wherever” singer is no stranger to World Cup anthems, having previously sung “Waka Waka” in 2010 and “La La La” in 2014.
Sports
Bayern pledges support for injured Alphonso Davies ahead of World Cup
The club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, said that the Bundesliga champions were cooperating with Canada Soccer with an eye not only to the World Cup but also on the players’ long-term fitness.
•Alphonso Davies
Bayern Munich on Friday pledged to do everything they could to give injury-hit star Alphonso Davies a chance to be fit to play for Canada at the World Cup.
The club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, said that the Bundesliga champions were cooperating with Canada Soccer with an eye not only to the World Cup but also on the players’ long-term fitness.
“Our hope is that we can all work together to do what’s best for Phonzy,” Eberl told a press conference before Bayern’s final Bundesliga game of the season against Cologne.
Canada play all three of their group games at home, starting with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12.
“It’s tragic enough that he’s picked up an injury ahead of the World Cup on home soil,” said Eberl. “We’ll all work together to ensure he might have a chance – but for that to happen, he needs to get fit. He has to accept that, and he does.”
JUST IN: Dangote files new lawsuit against FGN over fuel import licences
FIFA confirms release of official World Cup 2026 song “Dai Dai” by Shakira, Burna Boy
Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline FIFA World Cup final halftime show
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Business2 days agoDangote to flood Nigerian markets with 1 million metric tons of paddy rice
-
Entertainment3 days agoBreaking: Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo dies at 40
-
Business2 days agoWhat President Tinubu Tells World Leaders At Nairobi’s Summit
-
Politics3 days agoMakinde to declare presidential ambition on Thursday
-
Business2 days agoFrance Mobilises €23bn Private Capital For Investments In Africa
-
News2 days agoIMF Releases Top 10 Largest Economies in 2026
-
Sports3 days agoNigeria to host 48th CAF General Assembly, CAF Awards ceremony
-
News2 days agoNational Security: Former President Babangida urges stronger community-security collaboration