Until his tragic death on July 3, André Filipe Teixeira da Silva was known more as Diogo Jota’s younger brother than as a rising footballer in Portugal’s domestic leagues. But those who followed his journey knew he was quietly carving his own path in the sport they both loved.
André, 25, died in the same car crash that claimed the life of his older brother, Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota.
Spanish police confirmed the accident occurred in Cernadilla, a town in the Zamora province of northwestern Spain, when the vehicle veered off the A-52 highway in the early hours of Thursday.
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From Gondomar to Penafiel
Born on April 28, 2000, in Gondomar, Portugal, André began his football journey in 2008 with Gondomar SC.
His potential quickly caught the attention of scouts, earning him a spot in FC Porto’s youth academy, where he honed his skills as an attacking midfielder.
Though not as widely known as his brother, André’s talent was evident. Standing at 1.68 metres, he played primarily as a creative midfielder but also operated comfortably on the left flank or up front. His versatility made him an asset across multiple youth teams and clubs.
He would later feature for Famalicão U23, Boavista U23, and Gondomar before joining Penafiel in 2023. At the time of his death, his market value had peaked at €450,000, a figure that reflected his steady growth in Portugal’s second-tier football league.
A quiet climb in the shadow of fame
Unlike Diogo, whose Premier League success earned global recognition, André’s career unfolded quietly within Portugal. He never attracted big transfer fees, but his movement across clubs showed a determined footballer committed to building a meaningful career in his own right.
At Penafiel, he was regarded as a promising midfielder with an eye for space and quick feet. Coaches noted his discipline and work ethic, attributes that often go unnoticed outside the limelight.
Two brothers, one dream
Those close to the Silva family say André and Diogo were inseparable. Football wasn’t just a profession; it was a bond that tied the brothers together from childhood pitches in Gondomar to their separate professional careers.
Their final journey together, sadly, ended in tragedy. Just two weeks after Diogo celebrated his wedding to long-time partner Rute Cardoso in Porto, the brothers were killed in a crash that has since left the football world in shock.
A loss beyond football
André’s death may not dominate headlines the way Diogo’s has, but within Portugal’s football circles, his passing has hit just as hard. Clubs, teammates and fans have paid tribute to a player many believed was just getting started.
As both families prepare for burial arrangements, many are reflecting not just on what Diogo and André achieved, but on what could have been. Two brothers. Two talents. One legacy of love for the game.
