The tragic news emerged in the early hours of Thursday morning after emergency services in northern Spain discovered Jota and his 26-year-old brother Andre, who was also killed in the crash.
Jota’s tragic death has sent shockwaves around the world and to add to the tragedy arrived just 10 days after the father-of-three married his childhood sweetheart Cardoso.
Having tied the knot it appears his final public message to his wife was to cherish his love for her following their marriage in Porto.
Two days ago, Jota left Cardoso a comment on Instagram after his wife wrote ‘my dream came true’ following their wedding.
In response, the 28-year-old wrote: ‘But I’m the lucky one’.
Diogo Jota described himself as the ‘lucky one’ after marrying his childhood sweetheart
Just 10 days after tying the knot in Porto, Jota (right) tragically died in a car crash in Spain
The crash occurred on the A-52 in the province of Zamora. The road in Spain is a key route taken by drivers leaving northern Portugal.
Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash.
‘The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire,’ a statement read.
‘1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.
‘From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.’
His death was confirmed by Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation.
He said in a statement: ‘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.
The Portugal international and Cardoso first got together in 2012, when they were teenagers
‘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.
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’.
In their own statement, Liverpool have been left ‘devastated’ by Jota’s shock death.
Several Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield on Thursday morning to lay flowers and messages in honour of Jota, as the world of football fell into mourning.
The Reds posted to Instagram on Thursday morning: ‘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.’