Days before soccer star Diogo Jota died in a car accident, his wife was reflecting on their magical wedding.
Jota married Rute Cardoso just 11 days before the athlete and his brother, André Silva, were killed in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday, July 3. They were 28 and 25, respectively.
“My dream came true 🤍,” Cardoso wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, July 1, sharing a series of pictures from the couple’s June 22 wedding.
Jota commented, “But I’m the lucky one 😍.”
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Just hours before he died, Jota posted a video from their wedding day via Instagram.
“A day we will never forget 🤍,” he wrote.
Cardoso and Jota got engaged in 2022 after years of dating. The couple shared three young children: sons Dinis, 4, and Duarte, 2, and a daughter who was born in November 2024.
Jota, who played for Liverpool F.C. in the English Premier League, and his brother were killed in a single car accident early Thursday morning.
“The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tire blowout while overtaking,” the Spanish Guardia Civil told BBC News. “It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora.”
The vehicle “caught on fire,” according to the police, killing both men.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the team posted on its website on Thursday. “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 statement continued, “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.”
Jota’s death impacted all corners of the sports world, including NBA star LeBron James, who has an ownership stake in Liverpool.
“My prayers goes [sic] out to his loved ones during this time!” James, 40, posted via X on Thursday. “May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️.”
“YWNA” is an abbreviation for “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a song that’s become an anthem for Liverpool fans.
