Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28, just weeks after marrying his wife Rute Cardoso. The doting father also leaves behind his three young children

Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28, leaving behind his beloved wife, Rute Cardoso and their three young children.

Just months before the fatal car accident, which came just weeks after his marriage to Rute, Diogo had made a heartbreaking promise to his family.

The Portuguese striker, who joined the Reds in the summer of 2020 and won the Premier League this year, passed away following a road traffic accident in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday morning. His younger brother, Andre, 26, also died in the same accident.

Diogo’s devastating death comes just under two weeks after he said ‘I do’ to his long-term girlfriend Rute on 22 June during a stunning ceremony in Porto. The couple have three children, two sons and a daughter, who is their youngest, born in November 2024.

Diogo Jota sadly leaves behind his wife and their three children (Image: Instagram)

Just a month before his daughter was born, the footballer opened up about mental health and family life in a video on his club’s YouTube channel. Sitting down with Lee Richardson, the club’s performance psychologist, Diogo highlighted how football, being a team sport, can sometimes allow players to mask their feelings.

“As a team sport, you can sometimes hide or benefit from what the team is doing or not. And in those individual sports, like boxing, Olympians, [they’re by] themselves. So when they are not good, you can clearly see something is wrong,” he shared.

The Liverpool footballer had made a heartbreaking promise to his three children

The doting father went on to discuss his children, explaining that even after being on the pitch all day, he had to be “on it” when he came home to his family. He shared: “When I go home after playing, I still have a family. I have two kids, three almost, and the dogs, and the stress, it doesn’t stop.

Diogo tied the knot with his wife Rute just under two weeks before he tragically passed away(Image: Instagram)

In a poignant vow to his family, he said: “You want to be the best father you can be”. The star added: “[You] try to lead by example, give him good feedback, even though sometimes you want to get a bit more rest in the afternoon, and they are all happy because you’re finally at home and they want to play. I had this yesterday after the game. I wanted to get a bit of rest. One of my kids wanted to play some football and you need to be on it.”

He also spoke of the stresses that can occur during a football career. “Sometimes with the stress that you have in your life, you forget it. Obviously, everyone has things going on in their lives, whether it’s business or family or whatever,” he openly said.

“I still feel like when I enter the pitch, everything clears. It doesn’t come across my mind, fortunately for me. I’m not sure if that’s the case for all the other players. Every time I’m on the pitch, I’m clear in my mind and I feel like I’m just doing what I know to do best.”

Tributes have been pouring in for Jota(Image: Getty Images)

Tributes have flooded in for Diogo following the tragic news of his passing, and his team issued a statement. It read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.

“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”