Diogo Jota: Police Confirm Real Cause Of Liverpool Forward’s Death

Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota has died in a car crash in Spain.

He was 28 and had three children with his wife, whom he married last month.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. local time near the municipality of Cernadilla in Zamora in northwestern Spain.

Jota’s brother, André Silva, who was also a professional soccer player, died in the crash.

In an update, Spain’s Guardia Civil said the accident was likely caused by a “burst tire while overtaking.”

The vehicle, which Spanish media reported was a Lamborghini, then “caught fire and both occupants died.”

The crash is being investigated as “a possible speeding incident,” a source from the Government Sub-delegation in Zamora revealed.

Jota was an attacker who played an important role in Liverpool’s recent title-winning season, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 26 appearances.

He won three major trophies with the Reds and two Nations League titles with Portugal.

The authorities identified the remains based on documents recovered at the scene of the accident, as well as the car’s license plate, CNN Portugal reported.

Further forensic testing at a morgue in Zamora confirmed the brothers’ identities, CNN Portugal reported.

For investigation, the remains were moved to the nearby town of Puebla de Sanabria, a source close to the sub-delegate of the Spanish government in Zamora told CNN.

The players’ family is now present in Puebla de Sanabria to finalize the administrative requirements that allow the remains to be released and returned to Portugal, CNN Portugal reported.

The 28-year-old forward Jota enjoyed five successful seasons with Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and winning three major trophies.

Silva was also a professional soccer player, most recently with Futebol Clube de Penafiel in the Liga Portugal 2, the country’s second division.

Two months ago, Diogo Jota won the Premier League with Liverpool.

Less than two weeks ago, he married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children.

Tributes from the soccer world and beyond have been flooding in throughout the day, including from the likes of Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, NBA legend LeBron James, and the United Kingdom’s Prince William.

A wake is expected to take place Friday in the brothers’ hometown of São Cosme in Gondomar, Portugal, CNN Portugal reported.