Diogo Jota had to be identified by Liverpool star's wife after devastating car crash

Diogo Jota and his brother were identified by Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, following the death of the Liverpool star.

The Portugal forward died along with his younger brother Andre Silva following a car crash in Spain, in Zamora on Thursday morning.

Cardoso, who married Jota, the father of their three children, a matter of days ago, told police the two brothers' intention was to spend the night in Benavente and continue their journey on Thursday to reach Santander before catching a ferry to Portsmouth, according to reports in Portugal.

Psychological assistance was requested for Jota's wife and the personal belongings that were saved from the Lamborghini fire were given to her. It was one of the brothers' relatives who alerted them that they had not arrived in Benavente, and later, they verified in the documentation that they were Portuguese subjects.

A tyre blowout on the Lamborghini they were travelling in caused the crash before a fire broke out, leaving a devastating wreckage by the side of the road. Medical personnel confirmed the deaths of the two occupants of the vehicle shortly after arriving at the scene.

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo's heartbreaking tribute to Diogo Jota after tragic car crash death

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A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Zamora said: "The investigation into the crash is being carried out by Civil Guard traffic officers. We believe the car suffered a blowout from the marks on the road. The full police report once it is completed will be submitted to a duty court in Zamora which has launched an ongoing judicial investigation into this crash.

“That report is going to take time to complete, probably about four or five days but possibly longer. At this moment in time it is impossible to say at exactly what speed the car was going but that is something the Civil Guard investigators will be able to detail at least approximately in their final report from things like the skid marks.

"What I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no-one else was hurt."

Liverpool confirmed the devastating news in a statement, which read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo 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.

“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 joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds, including six last season as the Reds won the Premier League title.

He also won the FA Cup and League Cup with Liverpool and the Nations League twice with the Portugal national team.

Ruben Neves, Jota's former team-mate at Wolves, was also among the first people to pay tribute to his friend. He wrote on social media: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”

Cristiano Ronaldo added to the tributes for his Portugal team-mate, saying: "Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them.

"R.I.P. Diogo and Andre We will all miss you."