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As the footballing world mourns the loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, heartbreaking details have emerged about the Liverpool star’s final hours

The football world has been rocked by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, who passed away at what should have been an exciting turning point in his life.

Liverpool forward Diogo, 28, died in a horrific car crash alongside his younger brother and fellow footballer, Andre Silva, 26. The two talented brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini, which spun off the road and burst into flames close to the historic Spanish city of Zamora.

A newly married father of three, Diogo was dedicated to his family and stellar sporting career. His journey through northwest Spain should have been one filled with hope, with a bright new chapter opening up before him.

Sadly, the siblings never made it back to the UK as planned. Instead, fans and teammates alike are today mourning the loss of two gifted young men with everything to live for.

Here, the Mirror looks at the final tragic days of Portuguese icon Diogo, and the cruel twist of fate ahead of what should have been a triumphant return to the UK.

READ MORE: BRIAN READE: ‘I watched Jota lift trophy – his death reminds us life is precious’

Those watching Diogo play in the last few weeks of his life may well have had no idea that he was dealing with a little-known health issue, which has now been confirmed by his physiotherapist.

Ever the “unparalleled professional”, Diogo continued to give his all to the beautiful game, despite suffering from an problem known as pneumothorax – or collapsed lung.

Physio Miguel Goncalves, who saw Diogo just five hours before the crash, said the footballer was so keen to ensure Liverpool won their second Premier League title, he delayed his pneumothorax surgery. He also longed to play in Portugal’s Nations League game against Spain in June, which his country ended up winning on penalties.

And in a heartbreaking twist of fate, it has now been revealed that Diogo had been advised against flying after undergoing lung surgery, and so he and Andre had intended to sail back to England together.

At the time of the tragedy, the brothers were driving towards Santander, via an overnight stop off in Benavente. They had planned to take a ferry back to Portsmouth, then on to Liverpool.

CNN Portugal’s Rui Laura explained. “He was on his way to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to cross the ferry and reach the UK that way, and carry on with the car once he reached Britain. He was on his way to Liverpool with his brother.”

Diogo had been returning to Liverpool after spending time in his home country of Portugal. On June 8, he’d stepped in as a sub in the national squad’s penalty shootout victory over Spain in the Nations League final. Next week, Liverpool team members are due back at their Melwood training ground, with the pre-season kicking off on Tuesday, July 8.

Diogo’s physio Mr Goncalves, who works primarily at a Porto hospital, shared how the two brothers had chosen to make their fateful car journey in the evening as the weather would be cooler. He added: “I said goodbye to him and his brother, Andre, at around 8:30 pm.

“His brother was a great companion and decided to go with him, to accompany him on the trip, and that way they would also spend more time together. They were going to travel at night because it was cooler, but they weren’t going direct.”

In an interview with Portuguese outlet Record, Mr Goncalves revealed: “Diogo was very aware of his professionalism. They were only supposed to arrive in Santander today (Thursday, July 3), catch the boat and then go to England.

“The family would arrive later by plane, organise their lives over the weekend and then, on Monday, they had a medical appointment scheduled in Liverpool to assess the situation.”

He continued: “He made an extraordinary recovery, he was undoubtedly an unparalleled professional. He strictly followed what I told him, as you could see in the way he was recovering.

“The base of his right lung had collapsed a little, but with the post-surgery physiotherapy, he was practically flawless. When I left him yesterday, he was no longer in pain and was going to return to Liverpool. He was excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic about the next season.”

Mr Goncalves has also hit back at inaccurate rumours he’s seen circulating on social media, which suggest Diogo and Andre had been partying before their tragic deaths. Setting the record straight, he clarified: “To be clear, Diogo and Andre weren’t partying at all.”

In the hours before the devastating crash, Jota also spoke to Gondomar SC president Alvaro Cerqueira in a heartbreaking phone call. The Liverpool star started his career with Gondomar at the tender age of nine.

Cerqueira told JN: “It was just after 10pm last night [Thursday], we were on the phone and he was fine. We spoke almost every week, and I know he was going through a happy moment. When Diogo needed to train during the off-season, he would ask to come here, and we would always make everything available.

“His brother would usually come too, and they would both train. It is difficult to talk at a time like this, but what will remain is the image of two very humble people, who leave a huge void.”

Meanwhile, just 11 days before his untimely death, Diogo married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in a ceremony held in his home city of Porto.

In those final hours, the couple were still very much the image of newlywed bliss, sharing beautiful snaps from their special day via Instagram.

Gorgeous photos shared on the app show the former teenage sweethearts beaming from ear to ear in front of a church altar. Rute wore a fairytale-esque ivory dress and flowing veil, while groom Diogo beamed in his suit.

In one photo, the devoted parents are stood alongside by their three children, Dinis, born February 2021; Duarte, born March 2023; and a third child, welcomed in December 2024, whose name has not been publicly announced.

Another image shows Diogo and Rute making their way down the church steps amid a flurry of confetti. Looking back on the “day we’ll never forget”, the couple promised “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever”, in a now-poignant caption.

Mere hours before the tragedy, Diogo uploaded a video filled with special moments from their big day, which included footage of carefree guests dancing the night away.

The clip is introduced with the following voiceover: “Dear Rute, Dear Diogo, today is a day that will mark your lives for the rest of your days.

“This is the only day that you have been able to get together, at the same time, in the same place. Your family, your friends. To celebrate what truly matters, which is love.”

Now, loved ones will gather once more for a far more sombre occasion. Diogo and Andre’s wake will take place today (July 4) in São Cosme, with the funeral scheduled for 10 am tomorrow, held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com.

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Ruth Gibbins, the sister of late One Direction star Liam Payne, paid tribute to Diogo Jota, a tragic death of the Liverpool FC football player, in a tragic car accident yesterday.

Liam Payne’s sister Ruth Gibbons has paid a heartfelt tribute to Premier League footballer Diogo Jota, 28, who tragically died in crash in Spain. Ruth, took to her Instagram stories to share her sorrow for the Jota family over the ‘heartbreaking’ tragedy.

The Premier League player and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in a collision in Zamora, close to Portugal’s north-west coast.

Jota’s marriage to Rute Cardoso, his sweetheart’s partner, was halted by the tragic accident, which required her to identify both her husband and his brother following the tragic accident.

Ruth wrote: “Devastating to read this today, along with a photo of the late football star. No family should have to go through this in public. It is truly heartbreaking. Thinking about their families today.

It comes after Ruth described seeing her late brother Liam in his final TV performance as “immeasurable pride.” The late One Direction star, who tragically passed away in Argentina at age 31 after falling from an hotel balcony, will appear in the upcoming Netflix series Building the Band.

His sister Ruth described him as “heartbroken” by saying he won’t get to see himself on the show. Ruth said, “I didn’t know whether to share this, but it felt odd when I’ve raved about Liam’s work and accomplishments for the past 15 years.

He never had the opportunity to see how talented he is in this show, and I’m heartbroken. We all told him this while we were filming, but watching it back, wow! He knew he had done a good job. “.

She continued, “You’re a star, Liam, you’ve always been and always will be.” I witnessed a variety of emotions while watching this, but unfathomable pride was one of them all. Every day, I miss you more.

Presenter AJ McLean has assured viewers that the series is “unique anything you have ever seen before” when it premieres on Netflix on July 9.

The Backstreet Boys singer said last month, “The world’s most talented singers will audition for one another and select their own bandmates before ever seeing them.”

Some of the biggest bands of all time are represented by our judge and mentor Nicole Scherzinger and guest judges Kelly Rowland and the late Liam Payne. Chemie is the key word in this program. You really need some good chemistry in a band, I assure you.

Before his tragic passing in October, Liam had just finished filming for the program, which features singers forming a band despite being kept in separate booths so they couldn’t see one another.

The series’ summary states that “the contestants have to go on musical compatibility, connection, chemistry, and merit… with incredible performances, compelling drama, and one big goal: to find the next great music band – the stage is set for an unforgettable experience.”

Meanwhile, Liam’s ex-boyfriend DJ Fat Tony recently admitted to trying to “help” the singer with “demons” as a drug.

The musician, 59, told The Times Magazine, “I tried to help Liam Payne with his demons. I am a recovering addict who has been sober for 18 years. He was a truly close friend, incredible.

He “got clean and sober at many amazing times.” Not everyone achieves this. What transpired by falling from the balcony is a real shame. It has devastated me. Our industry is heavily dependent on addiction. Being sober and clean is perceived as more problematic than drinking and driving high. They can assist you on your journey to recovery from drug and alcohol, but not to recovery.

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When they swerved the newly-appointed Sir’s 50th birthday in May, it is said that Brooklyn Beckham and his wife, Nicola Peltz, left David Beckham “heartbroken.”

David Beckham has reached out to his firstborn, Brooklyn – who he affectionately calls ‘Buster’ – in the midst of the family’s fierce feud. Brooklyn, 26, and his wife, Nicola Peltz, 30, left the newly-appointed Sir ‘heartbroken’ when they swerved his 50th birthday in May. The bash was attended by all of David’s other kids: Romeo, Cruz and Harper as well as important other members of the Beckhams’ inner circle.

Brooklyn made no reference to his dad’s milestone – or his long-coveted title – despite wishing his father-in-law and brother-in-law Happy Birthday on social media. However, David, has now tried to reconnect with the hot sauce enthusiast, despite Brooklyn’s repeated snubs, once again.

READ MORE: Inside Mel B and Victoria Beckham feud as Posh Spice swerves Scary’s wedding

On their wedding anniversary, David thanked Victoria for giving him four children while paying homage to “Lady Beckham.” He shared a photo of the couple from their lavish wedding in Ireland, saying, “26 years later, you said YES to me. Happy anniversary, and a thank you for helping me raise our wonderful children.

I’m in love with Lady Beckham: @victoriabeckham @brooklynpeltzbckham @romeobeckham @cruzbeckham #harperseven.

Romeo, Brooklyn’s brother, and Romeo were in a similar state of mind for various reasons. Following the tragic passing of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, Romeo sent a sweet message to his sibling. After their car crashed in Spain on Thursday, Diago and his brother both perished.

Paying tribute to the footballers, Romeo shared a shared a passionate post about telling the people you love how much you appreciate them.

He shared a message on Instagram that read, “The people who truly love you and care for you will always be there. “

Brooklyn is, however, keeping quiet about his most recent six-figure photo shoot with Nicola. Just two miles from the Beckham’s family home, the couple, who got married three years ago, posed for Italian brand Moncler in London.

Dubbed a “love letter” to the capital, the glossy shoot will have come as a bitter blow for Posh and Becks as Brooklyn and Nicola shot their pouty photos just two miles from the Beckham’s mansion in Holland Park.

Even worse, David was even closer to his son when he attended the nearby Chelsea Flower Show, which was only a mile away.

Brooklyn and Nicola put on a very loving-up display during the shoot, and now the photos have been released.

However, a source told us that Brooklyn’s country lifestyle and the fact that he missed any of his relatives was heartbreaking. Additionally, he posted about it here about it.

Brooklyn, they continued, “had kept the visit from his siblings and extended family quiet.” He was devastated that he had not engaged and had flown thousands of miles to London. It would have been simple to arrange a meeting.

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Fans of Stacey Solomon’s ask where to buy the rattan chairs by her pool every year, and we’ve finally located the chairs, plus a lookalike, for less than £60.

We might be having a little temporary relief from the scorching heat, but with another heatwave will be landing this month there’s still plenty of time to get your garden spruced up, and what better way to do that than with some chic new garden furniture? If you’re looking for some inspiration, every year during the hottest days Stacey Solomon uncovers her family’s outdoor pool, which has several circular egg chairs placed around the edge for lounging on.

Fans clamor for information on where to buy her chairs every year without fail, with Stacey refusing to give anything away. We’ve finally found the chairs Stacey actually owns, along with an affordable alternative that will cost you £60 per chair.

READ MORE: Stanley just introduced new Quencher cups that match the hottest print of the summer.

The easiest way to chop vegetables in seconds is Stacey Solomon’s £23 kitchen gadget.

The Large Natural Pod Chairs from Dunelm, which cost £259 each and have since sold out, are the actual chairs Stacey has set up around her swimming pool. However, we were able to locate a fantastic alternative on Amazon, the Outsunny Rattan Outdoor Egg Chair, which was priced at £196.99, making it £62 less expensive than Stacey’s and giving you a look comparable to that of the Outsunny Rattan Chair.

Natural rattan and charcoal gray are the two available colors for the Outsunny Egg Chair, with the grey shade costing more, starting at £209.99, respectively. The white cushions and natural shade make for a perfect match for Stacey’s chic poolside set up.

It has a rounded rattan frame that resembles Stacey’s chairs, extra wide and comfortable cushions on the seat, back, and at the sides for arm rests, and they have extra wide and comfortable cushions for the backs so you can sit back and relax in the chairs. However, Stacey’s has a more round, egg-shaped design, while Stacey’s has a more circular one.

The £299 Streetwize Azalea Rattan Chair is a great alternative if you want a more circular shape, though it costs more than Stacey’s chairs and the Outsunny chair. It has a chic, modern appearance thanks to its round frame and partially open back, which is ideal for putting a spin on the egg-shaped look.

However, unlike most other outdoor egg chairs, the Outsunny Rattan Outdoor Egg Chair is freestanding, making it more stable, secure, and simple to move around your garden. Additionally, it has a high volume of glowing Amazon reviews, with a strong five star rating.

You could sleep in this comfy egg chair, according to one customer. while another person said, “Really nice chair. very quickly and relatively easy to grow on your own. Very cozy

Other people said they felt very at ease. On my own, it was simple to make. Only time will tell, but it appears to be well built.

And, “Absolutely love this chair,” Comfortable at a good price. The Outsunny Rattan Outdoor Egg Chair is a great option and perfect for copying Stacey’s garden set up on a tight budget; all we need is a swimming pool, with no negative reviews to date!

Celebrity SAS’s cast member revealed that he had a child. This week, Jason Fox revealed that his son’s birth was five weeks early on social media.

Jason wrote “Jack Conrad Fox” in a photo he shared on Instagram yesterday. 8th June 2025. Five weeks premature. Jules and I have been and are amazing. He is incredible. Also excellent at making me feel restrained.

In a hospital waiting room, one image showed Jason cuddling his newborn son. A selfie of Jason, Jules, and Jack, who were seen sleeping also was included in the post.

His followers responded with encouraging comments about the post, which has more than 75, 000 likes on the platform. In the comments section, there were several famous people who congratulated Jason on the birth of his son Jack.

Tony Bellew, a former boxer who appeared on Celebrity SAS in 2020, responded, “Congratulations, mate.” While Rachel Johnson, a journalist who appeared on the show last year, said: “You two and now you three.” I’m so happy. I’m so happy everything is well. I adore your beautiful family.

The show’s creator, Melinda Messenger, wrote: “Hug congratulations to you both” in 2023.

“Congrats mate,” said Gordon Ramsay. Jamie Christian, a member of the Giant and the Glenadiators, said, “Ahhh congrats guys.

In March, Jason, who has two children from previous relationships, made the announcement that his wife was expecting. At the time, he wrote, “Hi there! ” along with a baby scan photo. This is the ideal time to announce that for Mother’s Day, there will be a new sheriff (mum) in town this year!

He continued, “I’m so proud of you [Jules] for approaching and taking on this long journey. upcoming exciting times”

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A superfan from Oasis claims she has seen Liam and Noel Gallagher play 16 times and that she once gave him a birthday present he still treasures. She could be their number one fan.

Some Might Say Oasis fever is sweeping the world ahead of the Britpop band’s much anticipated reunion starting with their first gig together in 16 years. And as millions bag tickets to see them at their UK concerts, the Mirror might just have found their number one fan.

Oasis famously split in August 2009 after brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher got into a fight backstage before a concert in Paris. It wasn’t the first time they’d come to blows – but this public spat signified the end for the band who had had us all singing along to catchy 90s anthems like Roll With It and Wonderwall.

Now 16 years later – instead of Looking Back in Anger – they’re reuniting and touring the UK with their first gig kicking off in Cardiff tonight (July 4) much to the delight of millions of fans around the world. And while more than one million fans have been lucky enough to grab tickets at one of their concerts this summer, could we have found their number one fan?

READ MORE: Doctors make horrifying discovery in X-ray after toddler complains of stomach pains

Oasis has been a devoted fan since 1995 when Katy Georgiou, a music therapist, first discovered them. She recalls how the lyrics “Live Forever at Glastonbury” really resonated with her when she was just 12-years-old when she saw them playing them on television while her grandmother was recovering from surgery.

She’s seen them play together and separately 16 times and met her idols several times over the years, but her favorite memory is when she called him in 2005 about a present she had given him eight years earlier.

“I have some beautiful and funny memories of meeting the Gallagher brothers,” Katy tells The Mirror. “I’ve met them a few times and in 1998 I gave Liam a gift for his birthday and to say thank you as a fan. It was a tiny, white, tasselled tambourine that I’d bought from a music shop in Camden market, along with a black and white print of John Lennon, because every fan knows that he loves John Lennon.

“Years later in 2005 when I was in my final year of university, I was sitting in my room one morning writing an essay when I got a phone call from my mum. She told me that she’d gone out shopping and that I’d never guess who’d just walked in: Liam Gallagher!”

Liam spotted Katy talking to her on the phone and asked if he knew her because he believed he could identify her. She informed him that she was speaking with her daughter, who is a huge fan.

He says, “The next thing I know, he has taken the phone off of her hands and greets me”! Katie recalls, and I said hello back before the quick conversation. I experienced shock. Even the worst part wasn’t there. I then said, “Liam, I have no idea if you remember me, but I’ve met you a few times in the past and I once gave you a tambourine as a present.” “

He then proceeded to explain the tambourine to me. Did it have skin on white? he inquired. Yes! ‘ I responded, ” ” Was there a tassel on it? ‘ he said. Yes! ‘ I responded. He claimed to still have it and that he remembered it. Eight years later, he still recalls the information I had given him. It really made my day and made me realize how important it is to remember people.

Katy first saw Oasis play live at Wembley Stadium in 1997 at the age of 14, before returning to see them at Wembley Stadium in 2000. Five years later, in Milton Keynes, she saw them there. Before they split up, she had the opportunity to witness them again in 2009, once at Wembley Stadium and once more at the Electric Proms at Camden Roundhouse.

After they split, Katy saw Liam Gallagher in Zurich 2017, at Knebworth in 2022 and at Manchester Co-Op in 2024. “I also saw Noel Gallagher’s High Flying birds in 2015 at the 02 arena, 2022 in Hampstead Heath, 2023 at Brighton on the Beach and in 2024 at Alexandra Palace,” she adds. “And I saw Noel acoustically at the Royal Albert Hall in 2007 and 2010, Beady Eye in 2011 in Madrid, and Liam with Bonehead at Royal Albert Hall 2013.”

What makes the 90s Britpop band so unique, though? When you listen to any Oasis song, Katy says, “It’s about us, we, you, and I. Second, love, loss, joy, and drawing on archetypes are universal themes that anyone of any age and culture can comprehend.

“This band has been around their entire life.” They never once left me a thought even in the 16 years that followed their split in 2009 and their 2025 reunification. The reunion is more than just two brothers coming back together; it’s about everyone whose lives they changed and touched and how they came to share that same experience of unity and nebulous emotion that Oasis first evoked in us.

Noel Gallagher will always make a point of praising the “people” who made his songs great in any interview he gives. It’s about how we interact with those songs, what we do with them, and what we do to make those songs special by passing them on to others.

Katy Georgiou is a music-industry therapist and author of How to Understand and Deal with Stress and the founder of Sound Affects Podcast exploring music and mental health.

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