From global stars like Diogo Jota and José Antonio Reyes to inspiring survivors like Darío Silva, these stories are reminders that even heroes in cleats are vulnerable to fate. This post dives into ten powerful, painful cases where the road claimed more than just talent it changed the course of football history forever.
1. Diogo Jota & André Silva (Portugal; Liverpool & Penafiel)
Date: July 3, 2025
Incident: Traveling in a Lamborghini on Spain’s A‑52 near Zamora, a tyre burst while overtaking, causing the vehicle to leave the road and catch fire. Both brothers were killed instantly.
Legacy: Tributes from clubs, fans, and world leaders. UEFA observed moments of silence; Jota, 28, had married just days earlier.
2. José Antonio Reyes (Spain; Arsenal, Sevilla, Real Madrid)
Date: June 1, 2019
Incident: Driving a Mercedes between Utrera and Seville with cousins when the vehicle veered off the road. Early reports cite a steering issue or tyre failure; speeds estimated at 69–81 mph .
Legacy: Reyes died along with one cousin. His club retired his number and UEFA held a minute’s silence at the Champions League Final .
3. Freddy Rincón (Colombia; Real Madrid, Corinthians)
Date: April 11–13, 2022
Incident: His vehicle collided with a bus in Cali. He suffered severe head injuries and died two days later .
Legacy: A Colombian icon remembered with national mourning and tributes from clubs and football authorities.
4. Federico Pisani (Italy; Atalanta)
Date: February 12, 1997
Incident: After exiting a casino in Milan in a BMW 320 convertible, Pisani lost control of the car, resulting in fatal injuries. His girlfriend also died; surviving passengers were injured .
Legacy: Atalanta retired his #14 jersey and named a stadium stand in his honor.
5. Lesley Manyathela (South Africa; Orlando Pirates)
Date: August 9, 2003
Incident: His Volkswagen Golf MK4 overturned on the N1 near Musina. He was unbelted and tragically ejected; airbags failed to protect him .
Legacy: The PSL's Golden Boot award bears his name in his memory .
6. Ray Jones (England; QPR)
Date: August 25, 2007
Incident: Just 23 days after earning his driver’s license, Jones drove the wrong way near East Ham and collided with a bus, resulting in immediate fatalities .
Legacy: QPR retired his #31 shirt, held tributes, and the club and England U19s honored him after his death.
7. Mondli Cele (South Africa; Maritzburg United)
Date: January 17, 2016
Incident: His car veered off-road and plunged into the Duzi River after scoring a match-winning goal .
Legacy: PSL sentimentally paused play in his honor, and he is remembered for raising road safety awareness.
8. Motjeka Madisha (South Africa; Mamelodi Sundowns)
Date: December 13, 2020
Incident: His car crashed into a roadside object east of Johannesburg, burst into flames. He escaped but died from injuries; a passenger also died .
Legacy: A rising star whose tragic passing struck deep within the football community.
9. Josef Sural (Czech Republic; Alanyaspor)
Date: April 29, 2019
Incident: A minibus carrying Sural and teammates crashed after a fixture in Turkey. He succumbed to his injuries soon after .
Legacy: Left behind a wife and two children; mourned widely in Turkish and Czech football circles.
10. Ovidiu Iacov (Romania; Steaua București)
Date: December 21, 2001
Incident: His Volkswagen struck a concrete wall near Târgoviște. He was under the influence, unlicensed, and driving late at night. A passenger and the driver died; others escaped with minor injuries .
Legacy: Only appearing four times for Steaua, his untimely death at 20 cut short a budding career.
