Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota died alongside his younger brother, André Silva, in a car crash near Zamora, Spain, on July 3, 2025. Diogo was 28; André was 25. Like his older brother, André was also a professional footballer, playing for second-division side Penafiel. According to the Spanish Civil Guard, their vehicle went off the road near the western city, with no other cars involved.
While tributes continue to pour in, the heartbreak runs deepest for their parents. Diogo and André were their only children.
Here’s what we know about the couple who raised them: factory workers who built a close-knit, working-class family in the quiet Portuguese town of Gondomar.
Who Are Diogo Jota’s Parents?
Jota was born in 1996 in Massarelos, a parish of Porto, as Diogo José Teixeira da Silva. He was raised in Gondomar alongside his younger brother, André, by their parents, Joaquim and Isabel Silva.
Both worked in factories and lived modestly, without extra money to spare. But what they lacked in wealth, they more than made up for in support, always behind their sons, whether it was on the field, in the dressing room, or through every stage of their careers.
His Mom and Dad Believed in Him Long Before the World Did
Even with limited means, Joaquim and Isabel never hesitated to invest in their son’s future. They continued covering Diogo’s football expenses at a local club until the age of 16.
In 2013, Jota joined the youth ranks of Paços de Ferreira and later signed a five-year deal with Atlético Madrid. He soon became a standout at Wolverhampton Wanderers, first on loan from 2017 to 2018, then as a permanent signing through 2020—playing a crucial role in their rise to the Premier League.
In September 2020, Liverpool signed him for over £40 million, a career-defining move that led to trophy success and fan admiration. He continued to rise, finally becoming a Premier League champion just months before his death.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website before the tragedy, Jota said: “To arrive at this particular season with the title that I’ve been chasing for a lot of years and in the best league in the world – for me where I dreamed to play as a kid – it’s a moment I will cherish forever.”
“It is a remarkable achievement for a small guy that came from Gondomar, where I had this dream. To arrive at this moment was outstanding.”
People Are Now Praying for His Family
As the heartbreaking news of Diogo and his younger brother André’s death spread, social media quickly filled with messages of shock, sorrow, and support. Countless posts are now filled with sorrow for those left behind—his parents, his wife, and the three children who will grow up without their father.
Radio sports journalist Kachy Okafor shared a tribute on Facebook, writing:
“I just learnt that Diogo Jota and his brother André are the only children of their parents, Joaquim Silva and Isabel Silva. There is no other sibling. And yes, both parents are still alive and vibrant. Just not in the public eye; very humble people who prefer to cheer and support their footballer sons from the shadows. They are natives of Gondomar, a small city on the outskirts of Porto.”
She added, “Today, Joaquim and Isabel face a pain that has no comfort. They have lost both their sons in a single night. Two brothers who lived together, grew up playing football together, and left together.”
Diogo had just married his longtime partner, Rute Cardos, on June 22, 2025. Together, they were raising three young children.
