Portuguese football has been struck by tragedy following the untimely deaths of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Filipe Teixeira da Silva. The two brothers lost their lives in a car accident in the early hours of July 3, 2025, in the Zamora province of Spain, shortly after celebrating Diogo’s wedding.
While Diogo Jota was a globally recognized star, his younger brother André had built a quieter but respectable football career of his own. At 25, André played as an attacking midfielder for FC Penafiel in the Portuguese Second Division. Despite not reaching the international acclaim his older brother enjoyed, André was regarded as a skilled and hard-working player, known for his dedication and humble nature.
André began his football journey in the youth academy of Gondomar SC, his hometown club, before progressing to FC Porto’s youth setup. Since 2020, he had been a consistent presence in Penafiel’s squad, where his contributions on the pitch earned him the respect of teammates and coaches alike. Those close to him described him as reserved but deeply passionate about the sport, with a strong bond to his family particularly his older brother Diogo.
The close relationship between the two brothers was evident both in their personal and professional lives. They often spent holidays together, trained side by side during off-seasons, and celebrated key life moments as a tight-knit duo. Only ten days before their tragic deaths, André had joined Diogo in celebrating his wedding, a joyful moment that quickly turned into heartbreak.
The accident occurred at kilometer 65 on the A-52 highway in the municipality of Cernadilla. Preliminary reports suggest a tire malfunction may have caused the vehicle to veer off the road, crash, and burst into flames. The fire was intense, and both brothers died instantly, with no chance of being rescued.
Initial confusion surrounded the identity of André due to the shared name with another Portuguese footballer, André Silva, who plays for RB Leipzig. However, it was quickly clarified that Diogo Jota’s brother was a different individual entirely and had no relation to the more prominent international striker.
The loss of André has deeply affected not only his family but also his teammates at Penafiel and the wider Portuguese football community. He may not have been a household name, but to those who knew him, André Silva represented the spirit of dedication, humility, and familial love. His passing, alongside his brother, leaves a profound void and serves as a somber reminder of life’s fragility, even for those seemingly at the prime of their journeys.
