Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca mourned the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva as he paid a touching tribute. The Liverpool star, 28, tragically passed away shortly after midnight on Thursday when the vehicle they were travelling in came off the motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, in the province of Zamora in the north west of Spain.
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Portuguese Football Federation chief paid tribute to Jota and his brotherLiverpool star passed away on ThursdayWas involved in a tragic car crashWHAT HAPPENED?
Spain's Civil Guard told the the brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini, which left the road and caught fire due to a tyre blowout while overtaking. Witnesses, who called Spain's emergency services, told the media they saw the car burst into flames. The Reds forward got married to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, on June 22. Proenca, the head of the Portuguese Football Federation, paid a heartfelt tribute to the national team stars.
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The statement from the Football Federation chief read: "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."
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Proenca also revealed the federation has requested UEFA to conduct a minute's silence during Portugal's clash against Spain in the Women's European Championship. He added: "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."
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Former players like Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville condoled the death of the 28-year-old striker and his brother as the football world mourned the heartbreaking incident.
