Football is always known for producing stories that inspire the world. Whether it be about a player, a manager, or a whole team. There are surely some tragedies that have happened that no fan or player wants to remember for the rest of their lives. Let us have a look at the 10 Football Legends Who Died in Car Accidents.
The most recent and heartbreaking one is the death of the Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. It was surely one of the darkest days in the history of football.
More Stories: 10 Athletes Who Died While Playing: Shocking On-Field Losses
10 Football Legends Who Died in Car Accidents: Jota to Jos Antonio Reyes
Diogo Jota (2025)
Everything was just going perfectly for the Portuguese star, Diogo Jota. In May, he won the Premier League with Liverpool. Just a month later, he won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal. The last one was the best, as he got married to the love of his life on 22nd June, but life is surely unpredictable and cruel at times.
Just ten days later, he lost his life in a car accident with his brother in Spain. A tyre got blown out and the car crashed. Every team, as well as players, was shocked by the incident. Liverpool retired the number 20 jersey that he used to wear and will pay the remaining two years of his contract to his family.
Diego Montiel (2021)
The Argentine player has played for teams like Atletico de Rafaela, Juventud Unida, and Bragado. He played in the lower division leagues of Argentina. While driving, his car turned and went off-road.
Later, the road turned over a lot of times, and later, he was no more. He died at a very young age, as he was just 25 years old. The midfielder played nearly 40 games and scored four goals before his death.
Emiliano Sala (2019)
Emiliano Sala lost his life in a plane crash. He was traveling with his friend after completing his medical as a new Cardiff City player. Sala was earlier playing in the French Ligue 1 for Nantes, where he was the top scorer.
Cardiff City broke the bank and signed him for a record transfer fee and brought him to English Football. There was a question about player safety, which raised many questions on that. He is still remembered for his humble nature.
Antonio Reyes (2019)
The Spanish winger died at the age of 35, and the reason was the same as Diogo Jota: the tire of his car burst. He was driving his car at a speed of somewhere around 185 km/h. Antonio Reyes has played for famous clubs like Sevilla, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid. He also won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2003.
During his career, he scored 99 goals and provided 136 assists in more than 600 games. He has also won trophies like the Premier League, La Liga, and UEFA Super Cup and was a five-time Europa League Champion.
Cristian Gomez (2015)
The Atletico Parana and Argentine defender died on the pitch after he had a heart attack. He was playing against Boca Unidos in 2015. Cristian Gomez was rushed to the hospital, but he could not make it as he died in the ambulance on his way to the hospital.
During his time, he has played for teams like 9 de Julio de Rafaela, Deportivo Armenio, Sportivo Patria, and Atletico Parana. Cristian Gomez played more than 70 matches before passing away.
Junior Malanda (2015)
The Belgian midfielder, Junior Malanda, died at the age of 20. He was in the car as he was going to the northern part of Germany, and on the way, his car crashed, and he died on the spot. Junior Malanda was surely one of the future talents of the Belgium National team and was currently playing with the German side VfL Wolfsburg.
At the age of 20, he played more than 80 senior career games and scored ten goals. He also got the chance to play in the UEFA Europa League.
Ray Jones (2007)
Another promising footballer that we lost at the age of 18 was the English striker Ray Jones. While driving his car, Ray Jones bumped into a bus and later lost his life. He was playing for the Queens Park Rangers team and also managed to play just thirty-three games.
In the matches he played, Ray Jones scored five goals. In his memory, Queens Park Rangers retired his number, 31. He also made his debut for the England Under-19 team.
Jimmy Davis (2003)
While driving his BMW car early in the morning, he was driving at a speed of more than 110 mph. His car had a collision with a truck, and later he died. It was said Jimmy Davis was drunk at the time when he was driving the car.
The English winger was compared to Eric Cantona for the potential he had when he was playing at that time. Jimmy Davis was also the captain of the England under-20 team at that time.
Federico Pisani (1997)
He, his girlfriend, and his two friends were coming back home, and they met with an accident. Federico Pisani and Alessandra Midali (his girlfriend) were killed in the accident, whereas the two friends were saved. The incident happened on 12th February, 1997.
The car was a BMW 320 convertible. Federico Pisan, the Italian forward, was playing for Atalanta at that time. Atalanta retired the number 14 jersey as a tribute to him. In his senior career, Federico Pisani played more than 80 games and scored six goals.
Michael Millett (1995)
Another English player that we lost too early. Michael Millett died at the age of 17 in a car crash, and the saddest part was that the next day was his birthday. He died on 21st September, 1995, whereas his birthday was 22nd September.
Michael Millett was playing for Wigan Athletic Football Club and could only manage to play three games for the club. The young player of the year award for Wigan Athletic Football Club is named after him.
More Stuff: Top 10 Cricketers Who Lost Their Lives During Matches: Gone Too Soon
