The tragic passing of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota in a car accident on July 3, 2025, has left the football world in mourning. Amid the heartbreaking loss, attention has turned to the family who shaped his life—particularly his parents, Joaquim and Isabel Silva, who supported his dreams from humble beginnings in Portugal.
Joaquim and Isabel financed Diogo’s early football career, paying club fees until he turned professional. The couple lost both sons, Diogo and André, in the same car accident, a devastating blow that has resonated deeply across the football community. Football stars, clubs, and politicians have honored the Silva family, recognizing their profound loss.
Who Are Joaquim and Isabel Silva?
Joaquim and Isabel Silva are the proud parents of Diogo Jota (born Diogo José Teixeira da Silva) and his late brother, André Silva. The couple, originally from Porto, Portugal, dedicated themselves to nurturing their sons’ football careers despite financial challenges. In interviews, Diogo often credited his parents for sacrificing to keep his dreams alive.
“It was not me paying, it was my parents,” he once told Sky Sports. “In Portugal, things are different. I was playing for a small club, and we had to pay monthly to play.” Their unwavering support allowed Diogo to rise from local club Gondomar to Premier League stardom, while André pursued his own career in Portugal’s second division.
A Family’s Heartbreaking Loss
The sudden deaths of Diogo and André in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, have left Joaquim and Isabel grieving an unimaginable double tragedy. The brothers were reportedly traveling to catch a ferry back to England when their car veered off the road and caught fire. Liverpool FC released a statement expressing devastation, while tributes poured in from teammates, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
“It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team… To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences.”
Porto, where both brothers once played, shared their condolences, highlighting the depth of the loss:
“Diogo Jota’s parents lost their only 2 children, his wife lost her husband & his 3 kids lost their father. As much of a shock we are all in now, I can’t begin to imagine how they must be feeling, my heart cries for them man. May God give their family strength in abundance💔”
A Legacy of Love and Sacrifice
Joaquim and Isabel’s dedication extended beyond football. They raised Diogo to value family—a trait evident in his close bond with his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children (Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda). Diogo’s final Instagram post, shared just before his death, captured his wedding with Rute, captioned: “A day we will never forget.” His mother, Isabel, had often been seen supporting him from the stands, a testament to their tight-knit relationship.
The announcement comes as the football community rallies around the Silva family, offering support and honoring the legacy of a player who not only excelled on the field but also embodied the values his parents instilled in him. As the world reflects on Diogo Jota’s impact, the focus remains on the enduring love and sacrifices of Joaquim and Isabel Silva.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the accident continues, with authorities seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The football world waits in solidarity, offering thoughts and prayers to a family who has given so much to the sport.