Portugal Mourns Star Diogo Jota at Euro 2025

Inside the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, football took a back seat. As Portugal lined up for their Women’s Euro 2025 opener against Spain, the loss of a beloved figure cast a long shadow.

Thousands of Portuguese supporters stood still for a minute’s silence before kick-off, with a black-and-white photo of Diogo Jota displayed high above. Jota and his brother Andre Silva had died early Thursday morning in a car crash in Zamora, Spain. They had been travelling in a Lamborghini.

“Of course, if we had the possibility to change everything, we would change everything for sure. But this is a hard day for us,” said Portugal manager Francisco Neto, visibly moved in the post-match press conference. Neto had first met Jota during their time with the national youth teams and remembered his deep affection for the women’s squad. “Diogo followed our team because he loved the country… Today is a really, really sad day.”

The Portuguese players wore black armbands in Jota’s honour. Supporters in the stands held signs with messages of thanks and mourning for a player who, despite not being on the pitch, felt present to them all.

Jessica Silva, who led the line for Portugal, spoke through heavy emotion after the match. “It was a really tough day to play football, because this life is much more than a game, much more than football,” she said. “Of course everyone is sad. It’s heavy, my heart is heavy.”

On the field, Spain delivered a sharp performance, beating Portugal 5-0. But it was the scenes before and after the match that remained imprinted on those watching.

“Thank you for everything, Diogo Jota. Rest in peace, 1996–2025,” read a banner held aloft by the entire Portugal squad after the final whistle.

Jota had made 49 appearances for his country, scoring 14 goals since his debut in 2019. He played in two UEFA Nations League-winning squads, the most recent lifting the trophy just a month ago.

Diana Silva, another Portuguese forward, paid tribute to the man. “As a person he was very humble, very kind… He meant a lot to us and it’s very sad. He’s one of us, so I think the team is feeling the moment quite a bit.”

The grief extended beyond the camp. Fans outside the stadium struggled to cope with the news. Melanie, who had travelled to Bern for the game, tried to hold back tears. “As soon as I heard it I started crying… He had three kids, he just got married. I’m so sorry. You realise how quickly it can all end.”

Jota had just married his partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. With their three children and bright future ahead, the news has hit both club and country hard.

A Portugal supporter who shares the late striker’s name, Diogo, summed it up: “He was really important, he was the new generation, the golden generation of Portugal. We will miss him.”