Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota, his brother killed in car accident

Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday.

The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed to The Associated Press that the 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora.

Jota's death comes weeks after he married Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League title. On getting married, she wrote in a social media post, "Yes to forever." He leaves behind him three children, the youngest born last year.

Police were investigating the causes of the accident that occurred past midnight local time. They said there were no other vehicles involved and that the brothers were alone in the car. The bodies were undergoing forensic analysis.

It wasn't clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tire while they tried to overtake another vehicle.

The crash occurred while Jota and Silva, who is also a Portuguese soccer player, were traveling eastward along an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora.

Video images of the aftermath published by Spanish media showed braking tire marks veering off the road toward torn-apart guardrails. The burnt-up car was seen several meters ahead, with some of the vegetation around it destroyed by the fire.

Jota was taking his summer break from soccer after having helped Portugal win the Nations League. That June 8 final against Spain in Munich was his last match.

Liverpool's players are due back to start training for next season on Monday. But Jota's participation in the Nations League could have earned him some extra time off before being called back to Liverpool.

Liverpool said the club was "devastated by the tragic passing."

"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."

Liverpool fans gathered to place flowers and team scarves outside Anfield Stadium to mourn Jota's passing when news of his death spread.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club.

Jota was a clinical finisher, scoring 65 goals in 182 games for the Reds. His last goal for the club was the winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April, which moved the team closer to the league title.