FIFA announced on its official website on Friday that they have decided to observe a one-minute silence for Liverpool's Portugal international forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who were tragically killed in a car accident, at all 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals matches held in the United States on Thursday and Friday local time.

According to FIFA's official statement, the moment of silence will be observed before the official start of each match. At the same time, in order to mourn the departure of these two outstanding players with the international community, FIFA has decided to lower the Portuguese flag to half-mast outside the headquarters until the mourning period for Jota and André is over.

In addition, UEFA also announced that it will observe a one-minute silence for Jota and André before the start of all Women's European Championships on Thursday and Friday local time.

Regarding Jota's sudden death, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "Today is a very dark, heartbreaking and extremely sad day in world football."

"We are all deeply saddened by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva."

"I was honoured to be able to meet Diogo during the 2022 Qatar World Cup two or three years ago. He is an excellent person and an excellent son, husband and father."

"This is a very difficult and heartbreaking news. Of course, we will observe a one-minute silence for the two brothers in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals matches.”

“I can’t describe how I feel at this difficult time. On behalf of FIFA, my family, friends, colleagues and the football family around the world, I would like to send big, warm hugs, and my most sincere thoughts and condolences to Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates, coaches and the teams he had played for. I wish everyone can be strong in this sad moment. ”

What happened

At 0:30 local time on Thursday, Jota was driving to the dock and then taking a boat to return to Liverpool to prepare for the pre-season training camp.

Since Jota is not suitable for frequent flights due to lung problems, he has always had the habit of occasionally driving to the dock and then taking a boat to his destination.

André’s plan was to follow his brother to the dock and then drive the car back home.

At that time, their car was heading towards Benavente on the A-52 highway in Zamora Province, Spain.

At 65 km, at the section between Palacios de Sanabubria and Cernadilla, an unfortunate accident occurred.

His car ran off the road and hit the roadside fence after a flat tire while overtaking.

Witnesses who saw this shocking scene and immediately called 112 for emergency services. The Zamora Fire and Emergency Services immediately rushed to the scene with the police.

When the fire and emergency services and the police arrived at the scene, the car was already engulfed in flames and both men were killed on the spot.

About Diogo Jota

Jota was born in Porto, Portugal on December 4, 1996. He is 1.78 meters tall and primarily plays as a center forward, but can also play as a left winger.

Jota joined the Gondomar youth academy in 2005, transferred to the Paços de Ferreira youth academy in 2013, and completed his Paços de Ferreira first-team debut in October of the following year.

In July 2016, Jota joined Atlético Madrid for €7.2 million, but was immediately loaned-out to Porto.

In July 2017, Jota was loaned-out to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and his ownership was later bought out by Wolves for €18 million in January of the following year.

During his three-year spell at Wolves, Jota won the EFL Championship once with the club, helped the club qualify for the Europa League twice and reached the FA Cup final once.

In the summer of 2020, Jota moved to Liverpool for £45 million.

During his five-year spell at Liverpool, Jota played 182 times for the Reds in all competitions, scored 65 goals, assisted 26 times, won the Premier League once, the Carabao Cup once, the English FA Cup once, and reached the Champions League final once.

At the international level, Jota has been a member of the Portugual senior national team since 2019.

During this spell, he played 49 times for A Seleção das Quinas in all competitions, scored 14 goals, provided 12 assists, and won the UEFA Nations League twice with the team.