Led Zeppelin icon pays tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who has died aged 28

Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant has paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who has died at the age of 28.

The Portuguese international footballer was killed in a car accident in northern Spain in the early hours of Thursday (July 3). His 25-year-old brother Andre Silva, also a professional footballer in Portugal, was also killed.

Jota, who was part of Liverpool’s Premier League-winning squad in the 2024-25 season, previously played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, the club for which Plant serves as Vice President.

Plant wrote on X on Thursday: “What a tragic loss. The dimming of a bright, shining light. Thank you for your magic, Diogo.”

What a tragic loss. The dimming of a bright, shining light. Thank you for your magic, Diogo. https://t.co/SiFJRKPiCn

— Robert Plant (@RobertPlant) July 3, 2025

Jota was on loan at Wolves in the 2017-18 season, when they were promoted from the EFL Championship, and stayed at the club for the following two seasons, before signing for Liverpool in 2020 for £41million.

Plant is a lifelong supporter of the West Midlands club, having grown up in the Black Country. He was made Vice President of the club in 2009 and regularly attends home matches at Molineux.

During Jota’s time at Liverpool, he won the Premier League, FA Cup and the EFL Cup twice. He also won 49 caps for Portugal and just last month lifted the UEFA National League trophy while representing his country.

It is believed that the accident occurred as Jota was travelling from Portugal to Santander in northern Spain, where he was due to take the ferry back to England for pre-season training. He had been advised not to fly due to undergoing minor surgery in recent weeks, and the car he was travelling in left the road and caught fire after a suspected burst tyre while overtaking another car.

Among others to pay tribute to Jota are his Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who wrote: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo e Andre. We will miss you.”

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “heartbroken” by the news, adding: “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father. We will miss you so much.”

Jota married his partner Rute Cardoso 11 days ago and is survived by his three young children.