Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his 26-year-old footballer brother Andre Silva both died in a fireball crash in the early hours of this morning.
The brothers had been travelling in a Lamborghini when it veered off the road, rolled and burst into flames on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora in northwestern Spain.
It is believed the supercar's tyre burst while it was overtaking another vehicle at around 12.35am near to border of Portugal.
The tragedy comes just ten days after Jota, 28, wed his childhood sweetheart and mother of their three children Rute Cardoso.
The siblings' deaths has sent the footballing world into mourning with Liverpool releasing a statement this morning saying they were devastated.
Jota had risen through the Portuguese ranks alongside his brother Andre, with them both playing together at FC Porto.
But from there, their career paths took different trajectories with Jota playing for Atletico Madrid and Wolves before securing a £40m move to Liverpool in 2020.
Andre, himself a talented attacking midfielder, would instead stay in the lower leagues of his native country where for the last five years he had played for second division side Penafiel.
Unlike his elder brother, Andre kept his family name, with Diogo opting for Jota so as not to be confused with other Silvas, according to This Is Anfield.
It is not known if Andre had a partner or any children, but he had remained close with his brother with the pair pictured on Instagram enjoying a holiday together back in 2020.
Penafiel released a tribute to Andre on its website in which the club said it had declared an official mourning.
A statement read: 'Futebol Clube Penafiel expresses its deepest condolences for the tragic death of André Silva and his brother Diogo Jota, victims of a traffic accident that occurred in the last few hours.
'The loss of two young lives linked to the world of football fills us with pain and consternation.
'At this difficult time, Futebol Clube Penafiel extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and all those who shared moments of life and passion for sport with André and Diogo.
'The club will declare official mourning and pay tribute at upcoming sporting events.
'Rest in peace.'
The Lamborghini crash happened on the A-52 in the province of Zamora. The Spanish road is a key route taken by drivers after leaving northern Portugal as they head for the ports of Santander and Bilbao or drive north-east towards France.
Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash and two fatalities at around 12.35am on Thursday morning. Diogo and Andre's deaths were confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
'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,' a statement read.
'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'.
The tragic news comes just two weeks after Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto, his home city.
The Portuguese national football team have said they are 'devastated' by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo, adding 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'.
His death was confirmed by Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation.
He said in a statement: '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.
'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'.
