PRINCE William has paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota following his tragic death today.
The Prince of Wales said he was “deeply saddened” to hear about the death of Jota, who was just 28.
Prince William has paid an emotional tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, 28, following his tragic death in a car crash[/caption]
The Premier League star had joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 before making 182 appearances for the club[/caption]
Jota (right) died alongside his brother Andre Silva, 26, after their Lamborghini left the road and caught fire[/caption]
The Premier League star died alongside his brother André Silva, 26, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, after their Lamborghini went off the road in Spain and caught fire late last night.
Local police say they believe one of the supercar’s tyres burst while overtaking another vehicle at around 12.30am today.
Tributes have now poured in for the Liverpool forward, including from Prince William.
The Prince of Wales said: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.”
Wills has made football a central focus for much of his life, with the royal serving as a patron of the Football Association (FA).
The Aston Villa fan has been pictured at games alongside Prince George, including during both legs of the club’s clash against PSG in the Champions League earlier this year.
Jota’s death tragically comes less than two weeks after he married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children: Dinis, Durate, and a daughter born in 2024.
The star played on the left wing and up front for Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020 for a fee of £41 million.
Liverpool FC paid a touching tribute to Jota as they said: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”
They added that everyone at the club is still coming to terms with the “unimaginable loss”.
The Portuguese national football team have said they are “devastated” by the Jota’s death.
They added that he “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”.
Ex-player and pundit Gary Neville said: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother.
“All my love and best wishes to his family.”
TV presenter Piers Morgan wrote: “He only got married two weeks ago. Heartbreaking.”
FC Porto also paid tribute, saying: “Futebol Clube do Porto is in mourning.
Jota was part of Liverpool’s title winning squad last season[/caption]
He had also recently tasted success with the Portugal National Team, winning the UEFA Nations League last month[/caption]
Diogo and Rute with their three children at their wedding ceremony on June 22[/caption]
“It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
National teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also paid an emotional tribute to Jota.
The star wrote: “It just doesn’t make sense. Just now you had gotten married.
“To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.
“I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Jota and his wife shared heartwarming pictures of themselves in front of the altar with their kids during their beautiful celebration just 10 days ago.
In the caption, they said: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
The Instagram post received over 690,000 likes and more than 23,000 comments.
And it included love heart emojis from fellow Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez and Natalia Becker, wife of goalkeeper Alisson.
Fans have also been using the post as a place to pay tribute to the star.
The Premier League described Jota – who won the competition for the first time earlier this year – as a “champion who will be forever missed”.
Following his death, UEFA are set to announce a minute silence during tonight’s Women’s Euros match between Spain and Portugal.
The crash occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria at around 12:40am[/caption]
