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The football community has been deeply affected by tragic losses due to road traffic accidents. The recent death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother in a fatal crash in Spain has once again brought attention to the dangers that claim lives beyond the pitch. Here are the details of football stars who lost their lives in tragic accidents.
Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva Jota was born on Dec. 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal. He began his career in the youth ranks of Gondomar before turning professional at Pacos de Ferreira. After a successful spell there, he signed with FC Porto but was immediately loaned out to Atletico Madrid and then Wolverhampton Wanderers.
At Wolves, Jota made a significant impact, helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League and scoring 44 goals in 131 appearances. His performances earned him a high-profile transfer to Liverpool FC in 2020 for a reported fee of £41 million ($56.06 million). At Liverpool, Jota quickly became a key attacking player, contributing to the club's Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup victories. Internationally, he was capped 49 times by Portugal, scoring 14 goals, and was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
On July 3, Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were involved in a fatal road traffic accident in Zamora, Spain. According to eyewitness reports, the car they were traveling in lost control at high speed and collided violently, catching fire immediately. Emergency services arrived to find the vehicle fully engulfed in flames.
Both Jota and his brother died at the scene. Authorities opened an investigation into the circumstances, with preliminary findings pointing to excessive speed as a contributing factor. The accident occurred just five days after Jota’s wedding, adding to the tragedy. The football community worldwide expressed shock and sorrow at the loss of one of the sport’s bright young talents.
Freddy Eusebio Rincon Valencia was born on Aug. 14, 1966, in Buenaventura, Colombia. Known for his strength and skill in midfield, Rincon’s professional career included stints at top clubs such as Santa Fe, América de Cali, Napoli, Real Madrid, and Corinthians. He made 84 appearances for the Colombian national team, scoring 17 goals.
Rincon is famously remembered for scoring a dramatic last-minute goal against Germany in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, helping Colombia advance to the quarterfinals for the first time in history. He was the first Colombian player to appear for Real Madrid and won the FIFA Club World Cup with Corinthians in 2000.
In 2022, Rincon was involved in a serious car accident in Colombia. Reports indicated that his vehicle was struck by another car, resulting in critical injuries. Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Rincon succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The news sparked widespread mourning throughout Colombia and the football world, commemorating the legacy of a player who had been instrumental in Colombian football history.
Jose Antonio Reyes Calderon was born on Sept, 1, 1983 in Utrera, Spain. A technically gifted winger, Reyes played for Sevilla, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, and Espanyol throughout his career. He was a key player in Arsenal’s unbeaten Premier League season of 2003-04 and won three UEFA Europa League titles with Sevilla. Reyes also won La Liga with Real Madrid. On the international stage, he earned 21 caps for Spain, contributing four goals. His career was noted for flair and pace, making him a fan favorite at multiple clubs.
On June 1, 2019, Reyes died in a high-speed car crash near his hometown of Utrera. According to police reports, the vehicle lost control while driving at excessive speeds and crashed, killing Reyes instantly. The tragedy shocked the Spanish football community and was widely reported in the media. Reyes’ death was mourned by former teammates, fans, and clubs where he had played.
Ahmet Yilmaz Calik was born on Feb. 26, 1994 in Ankara, Türkiye. A versatile defender primarily playing as a center back, Calik started his career with Genclerbirligi, appearing in over 100 matches. He later signed for Galatasaray, where he won multiple domestic titles, including two Super Lig championships, a Turkish Cup, and a Super Cup. Calik then transferred to Konyaspor, continuing to perform consistently in the Turkish Süper Lig. Internationally, he represented Türkiye at various youth levels and earned eight senior caps.
On Jan. 11, 2022, Calik was involved in a fatal traffic accident on the Ankara-Nigde highway. Reports indicate that his vehicle collided with another car under circumstances still under investigation. Calik died at the scene. His passing was met with grief across Turkish football, leading to the Süper Lig dedicating the 2021-22 season in his honor and Konyaspor retiring his squad number 6. His career and personality were widely praised by peers and fans.
Josef Sural was born on May 30, 1990 in Hustopece, Czech Republic. He played as a forward for several clubs, including Zbrojovka Brno, Slovan Liberec, Sparta Prague, and Alanyaspor in Türkiye. Sural earned 20 caps for the Czech national team and was part of the squad at UEFA Euro 2016. Known for his work rate and technical ability, he was an important player for his clubs and country.
On April 29, 2019, following a league match in Kayseri, Türkiye, Sural was traveling with his team in a minibus returning to Alanya. The vehicle was involved in a severe accident near Alanya, reportedly colliding with another vehicle and overturning. Sural sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. Several teammates were also injured. The tragedy was covered extensively in both Turkish and Czech media, leading to tributes from football organizations and fans.
Metin Oktay was born on Feb. 2, 1936 in Izmir, Türkiye. A prolific forward, Oktay spent the majority of his career at Galatasaray, scoring 294 league goals in 324 appearances. He was capped 36 times by the Turkish national team, scoring 19 goals. Oktay won six Super Lig top scorer awards and 10 league titles with Galatasaray. Known as “Tacsiz Kral” (The Uncrowned King), he remains a legend in Turkish football history.
Oktay died on Sept. 13, 1991, in Istanbul after being involved in a traffic accident. His vehicle was part of a fatal collision, and he succumbed to his injuries shortly after. His death was widely covered in Turkish media, and his legacy continues to influence Turkish football culture. Galatasaray’s training facilities bear his name in honor of his contributions.
The tragic loss of Diogo Jota once again reminds the football world of the dangers that traffic accidents pose to players and their families. While these athletes continue to inspire millions on the field, their untimely deaths off it highlight the fragility of life beyond the game.
As clubs, fans, and federations mourn these losses, the shared hope remains that their memories and legacies endure, inspiring future generations both on and off the pitch.
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