British football is in mourning after the death of star Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother in a fiery car crash.

Jota and his brother, André Silva, were killed in the car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, police say.

Firefighters were called in as the fire spread into nearby vegetation, authorities said.

The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed that Jota and his brother were found dead near the north-western city of Zamora.

Police are investigating the causes of the accident, which happened past midnight local time. They said no other vehicles were involved.

It wasn’t clear who was driving the car. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tyre.

The accident occurred while they were driving eastward along an isolated stretch of highway about an hour west of Zamora.

BBC Sport reports that Jota, 28, was on his way back to Liverpool for pre-season training. He was to travel by car and ferry after recent minor surgery led doctors to advise him against flying.

Jota and his 25-year-old brother, both Portuguese players, were the only ones in the car, police said.

Jota’s death came only 11 days after he married Rute Cardoso and in a social media post wrote, “Yes to forever.”

The couple had three children, the youngest born last year.

Jota also played for Portugal’s national team and helped it win the Nations League last month. Silva played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.

Liverpool said the club was “devastated by the tragic passing”.

“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,” it said.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club – including the Premier League title last season.

The Portuguese soccer federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proença said Portuguese soccer was “completely devastated”.

“More than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community,” Proença said.

“We lost two champions. Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese soccer and we will all do our best to honor their legacy daily.”

Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro called the fatalities “unexpected and tragic”. He said Jota was “an athlete who greatly honoured Portugal’s name”.

“I extend my deepest condolences to their family,” he said. “It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports.”

Reaction has also come from across the world, including from non-soccer players such as NBA star Lebron James and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said.

“Just now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”

The Premier League said it was “shocked and devastated.”

“Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time,” it said.

“Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.”

UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected “by this heartbreaking loss”. It said a moment of silence will be observed at Euro 2025 matches on Thursday and Friday.

A wake is expected to be held in Portugal for the brothers late on Friday (local time), followed by their funeral on Saturday.

-with AAP