Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has paid an emotional tribute to his international teammate, Diogo Jota, who died in a tragic car crash early Thursday alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva.
Jota, 28, a key forward for both Liverpool FC and the Portugal national team, was killed when the vehicle he and his brother were travelling in veered off a motorway and caught fire shortly after midnight in Cernadilla, Zamora province, northwestern Spain.
Reacting to the devastating news, Ronaldo took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing his disbelief and sorrow.
“It makes no sense. We were just together with the national team — you had just gotten married,” he wrote. “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 Andre. We will all miss you.”
The tragedy comes just weeks after Jota and Ronaldo were seen celebrating Portugal’s Nations League title win over Spain, where they secured victory in a dramatic penalty shootout. Jota had recently shared a video of his wedding with longtime partner Rute Cardoso, which took place on June 22.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the footballing world for the late forward, remembered not just for his talent and tenacity on the pitch, but also for his humility and character off it.
