Diogo Jota and André Silva: A Crash That Ended It All

At the start of July 2025, Diogo Jota, a Liverpool striker known for his speed and versatility, and his brother André Silva, a rising sportsman with a bright future of his own, had it all.

Their careers were on the rise; Jota, a father of three children, had just married the love of his life, and there were many exciting accomplishments and pleasures ahead.

Or there should have been, but on July 3, 2025, to the shock of their loved ones and fans, both brothers died as a result of the car crash.

What were their early years like, how did they get into sport, and what led to the crash? The BetHere team performed its personal investigation.

The Rise of Star Football Brothers

Jota and Silva were born in Portugal, into a relatively modest background. Their parents were quietly supportive of all their hobbies, so they only encouraged both brothers as they began to play in local football clubs, gradually making names for themselves.

Jota was older than Silva by 4 years. His youth career began when he started playing for Gondomar SC before moving to Paços de Ferreira.

Silva played in Porto’s youth system, and later he joined the Portuguese second division (Liga Portugal 2) for Penafiel.

Both brothers were praised for their level of skills and their absolute love for what they were doing; Jota, as an older brother, succeeded to a larger extent by becoming an international star.

Here are the milestones of Jota’s short-lived but vivid career:

• He signed a contract with Atlético Madrid in 2016, and though he didn’t get a chance to appear for their first team, it was still a grand opportunity.
• Jota joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan in 2017, helping them win promotion from the English Championship and playing in different positions.
• In 2020, after seeing how reliable, quick, and versatile Jota was, Liverpool offered him a contract worth £40+ million.
• Jota accepted, and over his time with Liverpool, he made around 182 appearances and scored about 65 goals, winning the Premier League title, the FA Cup, and the League Cup.

Silva enjoyed his own set of triumphs.

• He played 2 seasons in the Campeonato de Portugal, scoring 9 goals and 2 assists.
• In 2023, Silva signed a contract with Penafiel, instantly scoring a win.
• In 2025, he received the title of the player of the match.

Both brothers supported each other’s careers through all the challenges and victories. They were always there for each other — up until the end.

Shortly Before the Crash

Life was good and plentiful for both Jota and Silva, and that’s putting it mildly. By July 2025, Jota had already become a father three times.

His youngest daughter was born in November 2024, and he delighted in the opportunity to celebrate her first steps, words, and giggles.

On 22 June 2025, Jota and his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, got married, finalising their union, with Jota making a post on Instagram saying that this was a day they would never forget.

Silva was ecstatic for his brother and excited about his own perspectives: he was studying business management, and his football career was soaring. 11 days later, all their dreams and memories were cut short.

The Night of Jota and Silva’s Crash

In the early hours of July 3, 2025, Jota and Silva were riding a Lamborghini in their quest to return to Liverpool for Jota’s pre-season training.

They were supposed to catch a ferry in Santander, but something went wrong. A simple, tragic tyre blowout — and their car was sent crashing, veering off the road and catching fire.

During the investigation, it was established that they were likely speeding beyond the acceptable limit: this didn’t cause the crash, but it could be one of the factors that contributed to it.

Both Jota and Silva were pronounced dead at the scene. Their deaths devastated the fans, but it’s their family and friends who got the hardest blow.

Jota’s children, the footage of past victories, and the smiling photos are the only physical reminders of what they had; however, the impact these two brothers produced on their loved ones and football communities worldwide will live on for decades to come.

Everyone, from the head coach of Liverpool and FIFA president to the prime minister and the president of Portugal, voiced their shock and sorrow.

Jota and Silva were loved, and they will stay loved as long as people remember them, their kindness and mischief, and their victories.