LeBron James And Sports World React to Liverpool Soccer Star’s Death
LeBron James and many other figures from the sports world mourned the tragic death of Liverpool soccer star Diogo Jota at age 28.
Jota and his brother, André Silva, 25, died in a car accident in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 3, in the Spanish province of Zamora. The fatal crash occurred less than two weeks after Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in Porto, Portugal, on June 22.
A spokesperson for the Spanish Guardia Civil told BBC News that its initial investigation determined that “the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tire blowout while overtaking.”
“It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire, and the two occupants were killed,” their statement continued.
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NBA legend James, 40, was among the sports luminaries to pay tribute to Jota, writing via X on Thursday, “My prayers goes out to his loved ones during this time! May you all be guided and protected! YNWA [‘You’ll Never Walk Alon’e] JOTA!!”
(“You’ll Never Walk Alone” is a show tune from the musical Carousel that is often sung by Liverpool Football Club supporters during matches.)
Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo wrote via social media that Jota’s death “doesn’t make sense” since they only recently played together on Portugal’s national team.

“Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married,” Ronaldo, 40, added. “To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We’ll all miss you.”
Jota’s Liverpool teammate Darwin Núñez acknowledged that “there are no words of consolation for so much pain” following the young athlete’s death.
“I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field,” Núñez, 26, vowed via Instagram. “I send all my strength to his family, from wherever he is I am sure he will always be with you, especially to his wife and his three children.”
Liverpool’s former manager, Jürgen Klopp, penned his own poignant memorial for the promising player he signed to Liverpool F.C. in 2020.
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“This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it,” Klopp, 58, wrote via Instagram. “I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother André. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!”
Klopp continued, “All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace.”
Liverpool Football Club published a statement on its website to express its athletes’ grief and disbelief over losing one of their beloved teammates.

“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,” the organization said. “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.”
Likewise, Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca declared that the country’s entire sports community was “completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André.”
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 international appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself,” Proenca said. “On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, they played their football.”
Proenca’s statement concluded, “The loss of Diogo and Andre represent irreplaceable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything, daily, to honor their legacy.”
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Days before Jota’s death, his wife, Cardoso, shared several photos from the couple’s wedding via social media, remarking that her “dream came true” when she tied the knot with the Liverpool player.
“But I’m the lucky one,” Jota replied.
Jota is survived by Cardoso and their three children: two sons, Dinis and Duarte, born in 2021 and 2023, respectively, and a daughter whose name has not been publicly disclosed.
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