Liverpool, July 3, 2025 — By BBC Sport Contributor
Football fans around the world were left stunned this week after a wave of online rumors falsely claimed that Liverpool forward Diogo Jota had died in a car crash. The speculation quickly went viral, with search terms like “Jota dead”, “Diogo Jota car crash”, and “Liverpool player dies” dominating Google Trends.
But let’s be clear: Diogo Jota is alive, healthy, and currently training with Liverpool FC.
✔️ The Truth Behind the Panic
The rumors appear to have started on social media late Tuesday night, with a series of unverified posts suggesting that Jota had been involved in a fatal accident. No official sources were cited, yet within hours, thousands of people were searching for phrases like:
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“Is Diogo Jota dead?”
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“Jota killed in car crash”
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“Liverpool FC player died today”
The frenzy even triggered AI-generated videos and fake headlines on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
However, no legitimate news outlets, including BBC, Sky Sports, or Liverpool Echo, reported any such incident.
📣 Liverpool FC Responds
A club spokesperson dismissed the hoax, saying:
“Diogo is absolutely fine. He’s been at Melwood for training and is preparing for the preseason fixtures. We advise fans not to believe misleading content circulating online.”
Jota himself has not publicly commented — likely choosing to focus on his football — but sources close to the player say he’s “completely unharmed and a bit surprised by how far the rumor went.”
⚽ Jota’s Career in Brief
Diogo Jota, 28, signed with Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and has become a reliable part of the squad. Known for his smart movement and goal-scoring touch, he netted 13 goals last season and played a crucial role in Liverpool’s return to Champions League football.
He’s also a regular in Portugal’s national team and is expected to feature in the UEFA Nations League later this year.
🧑🤝🧑 Family and Personal Life
Jota is married to his longtime partner Rute Cardoso, and the couple has two young children. The family was understandably shocked by the rumor but remains private amid the social media storm.
🛑 A Reminder for All of Us
This episode is yet another example of how easily misinformation spreads online — especially when it involves public figures. In the digital age, it’s more important than ever to verify before sharing, and to trust only credible news sources.
🔍 Quick Facts
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Diogo Jota is alive and well.
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No car crash or death has occurred.
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Liverpool FC confirms he is in training.
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Online rumors are false and unverified.