The football world has been rocked by numerous tragic car accidents over the years, claiming the lives of both rising talents and seasoned professionals.
The most recent is Portuguese international and Liverpool star, Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother in a car crash in Spain, just days after his wedding.
These deaths, often sudden and heartbreaking, leave a lasting impact on clubs, fans, and nations. Below is a list of notable footballers who lost their lives in car crashes, stretching back decades.
Federico Pisani (Italy, 1997)
At just 22, Pisani was considered a future Azzurri striker. The Atalanta forward died in a road crash after a night out. His number 14 shirt was retired, and a section of Atalanta’s stadium is named after him.
Michael Millett (England, 1995)
The 17-year-old Wigan Athletic youth player had just broken into the senior team before dying in a crash near Garswood. Wigan later won an Academy Award in his honour.
Jimmy Davis (England, 2003)
On loan at Watford from Manchester United, Davis crashed into a lorry on the M40. Just 21 at the time, United and Watford mourned his death with black armbands and silence at games.
Ray Jones (England, 2007)
The Queens Park Rangers teenage striker died just weeks after earning a Premier League opportunity. His club retired his shirt number 31 and held memorial events in his honour.
Junior Malanda (Belgium, 2015)
Malanda was Wolfsburg’s midfield enforcer before a wet road and speeding caused a fatal crash. Thrown from the rear seat, he died instantly. Wolfsburg retired his jersey number.
Cristian Gómez (Argentina, 2015)
While not in a crash, Gómez tragically died during a match, but his story is often linked with young players dying prematurely, reinforcing the fragility of athletes’ lives, whether on the pitch or road.
Antonio Reyes (Spain, 2019)
The former Arsenal and Sevilla winger died in a high-speed car crash in his hometown of Utrera. Reports said his Mercedes was travelling at 237 km/h (147 mph) before veering off the road. Reyes was 35 and travelling with two cousins; one of whom also died.
Diego Montiel (Argentina, 2019)
The former Atlético de Rafaela midfielder, aged 23, died when his car veered off the road and flipped multiple times. His death shocked Argentine lower-league football.
Emiliano Sala (Argentina, 2019)
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aviation tragedy in modern football. The 28-year-old had just signed for Cardiff City when the light aircraft carrying him from France crashed into the English Channel. A lengthy search found the wreckage weeks later. Sala’s death exposed serious safety gaps in player transfers.
Motjeka Madisha (South Africa, 2020)
Mamelodi Sundowns’ talented defender died in a fireball crash near Johannesburg. Although pulled from the wreckage alive, he succumbed to injuries. His passing left a massive void in South African football.
Diogo Jota (Portugal, 2025)
The most recent and painful loss. At 28, Jota had just gotten married and was returning from Zamora with his brother when their car veered off the highway and burst into flames. Tributes have poured in from across the football world, including Liverpool, the Portuguese FA, and global fans.
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