The sources consulted suggest the car may have suffered a blowout of one of its tyres while overtaking, causing it to leave the road and catch fire.
“Pending the completion of forensic tests, one of the deceased has been identified as Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, and his brother,” a statement from the Guardia Civil said.
Jota got married 11 days ago to Rute Cardoso in Porto. The forward is a father of three.
The news has sent shock waves around the sporting world.
Liverpool said it was “devastated by the tragic passing” of 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,” it wrote, adding it requests privacy for his family, friends and teammates.
“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
In a statement, president of the Portuguese Football Federation Pedro Proenca paid his respects.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, this morning, in Spain,” he said.
“Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy.
“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.”
A Portuguese international, Jota was a talented sportsman at the peak of his career.
He was married to the mother of his three children, Rute Cardoso, in Porto on June 20 and was due to return to Merseyside for pre-season training next week, preparing for a new season at a club where he has been a key figure in the club’s recent successes.
A prodigious talent as a youngster, he moved to the Premier League in 2017, building his reputation at Wolverhampton Wanderers before making his move to Anfield under Jurgen Klopp in 2020.
Jota was an immediate success, part of a side that regularly competed for the Premier League and Champions League titles.
He continued his excellence under Arne Slot last season, when he was part of the celebrations in May after the club won the English title, completing the player’s domestic haul as an FA Cup and League Cup winner.
For his country, Jota has been part of the golden generation, featuring regularly in the World Cup and European Championships, and winning the Nations League less than a month ago.
He was part of the current Portugal squad expected to be in next year’s World Cup.
Jota’s younger brother was also a footballer, representing FC Penafiel in his home country.
