Less than two weeks before the Club World Cup began in New Jersey, tragedy struck the football world. Portuguese international Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, on July 3, 2025.
Jota had recently undergone lung surgery. He was not flying but was on his way back to Liverpool for preseason when the fatal crash happened.
The Loss Felt Across Football
Jota, 28, was a beloved figure at Liverpool. He scored 65 goals in 182 matches after joining from Wolves in 2020. His death, along with Andre’s who played for Penafiel in Portugal’s second tier shocked their family and the wider football community.
Chelsea’s Special Gesture
Chelsea’s squad was preparing for the Club World Cup when the news broke. The players decided to honour Jota and Silva’s memory in a special way.
From the tournament revenues, Chelsea created a $15.5 million (£11.4 million) bonus pool for their 24-man squad. Instead of keeping it all, the players and club officials agreed to donate an equal portion around $500,000 each to the families of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
Support for Jota’s Family
The players worked directly with the families to arrange the donation. The money will support Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children. The youngest was only seven months old when the accident happened.
Liverpool’s Own Tributes
Liverpool also moved quickly to honour Jota. They retired his iconic No. 20 shirt at all levels. Next season’s kits will feature a “Forever 20” emblem. The club is building a memorial at Anfield and will hold a minute’s silence before their league opener.
Fans React Online
Football fans on Reddit praised Chelsea’s act of generosity. Some called it “a gesture of solidarity.” Another fan wrote, “Even if the family doesn’t need money, that’s what heroes do.”
We cannot say the Jota family is “set for life,” but this gift will help them greatly. It is a lasting reminder that football, at its best, is a family one that stands together in joy and in grief.