From Reyes To Jota:
Footballers Who Died In Car
Accident
The world of football was
thrown into mourning on
Thursday morning as the news
of the shocking and sudden
death of Liverpool and Portugal
attacker, Diogo Jota, filtered in.
Naija News reports that Jota,
alongside his 26-year-old
younger brother André Silva, had
died in a fatal road accident in
Spain.
Unfortunately, many other
footballers have had their lives
cut short in tragic accidents.
Here are ten footballers who
tragically lost their lives in car
accidents:
1. Diogo Jota and André Silva
In a deeply saddening and very
recent event, Liverpool forward
Diogo Jota and his brother André
Silva (also a footballer) died in a
car accident in Spain on July 3,
2025. This news has sent
shockwaves through the football
community, marking a tragic loss
for both families and clubs.
2. Jose Antonio Reyes
The former Arsenal, Real Madrid,
and Sevilla forward died in a car
crash in June 2019 at the age of
35. Reyes was a gifted winger
known for his pace and technical
ability, and his death was met
with widespread grief across
European football.
3. Freddy Rincón
The Colombian football legend,
known for his powerful presence
in midfield for clubs like Real
Madrid and Corinthians, passed
away in April 2022 after being
involved in a car accident. Rincón
was a key figure in the golden
generation of Colombian football.
4. Juanito (Juan Gómez González)
A true Real Madrid icon, Juanito
died in a car crash in April 1992
at the age of 37, after retiring
from professional football. He
remains one of the club’s most
revered figures, remembered for
his fiery spirit and dedication.
5. Laurie Cunningham
The groundbreaking English
winger, who made history as
one of the first black players to
represent England at senior level
and also played for Real Madrid
and Manchester United, died in a
car accident in Spain in July 1989.
His career was tragically cut short
at just 33.
6. Rommel Fernández
The Panamanian striker, who
enjoyed a successful career in
the Spanish league for clubs like
Valencia and Albacete, died in a
car crash in May 1993 at the
young age of 27. He was a
beloved figure in Panamanian
football.
7. Geor*y Asparuhov
One of Bulgaria’s most legendary
footballers and a national hero,
Asparuhov died in a car accident
in June 1971 at the age of 28,
along with his teammate Nikola
Kotkov. Their deaths were a
profound loss for Bulgarian
football.
8. Peter Houseman
An English striker known for his
time with Chelsea, he died in a
car accident in 1977. His passing
was a sad moment for the club
and its fans.
9. Marino Klinger
A Colombian footballer who
played for prominent clubs like
Millonarios and Independiente
Santa Fe, he died in a drowning
accident involving his car in May
1975.
10. Heraldo Bezerra
A Brazilian footballer who had a
significant career in Argentina
and Spain, notably for Atlético de
Madrid, he died in a car accident
in 1977.