CNN — The soccer world is coming to terms with a devastating loss following the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool star Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his younger brother, André Silva, just 25. The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of Thursday morning in Spain, leaving fans and fellow players in a state of mourning.

The brothers were involved in a fatal accident on the A-52 road in Zamora, located in northwestern Spain, around 12:30 a.m. local time. According to Spain's Guardia Civil, the incident was reportedly caused by a “burst tire while overtaking.” It was reported that the vehicle they were traveling in—a Lamborghini—lost control, veered off the road, and subsequently caught fire. While the exact details remain unclear, Spanish media indicate that it is not known which of the brothers was driving at the time of the accident.

The authorities were able to identify the remains of Jota and Silva through recovered documents at the accident scene, as well as the vehicle’s license plate. Further forensic tests conducted at a morgue in Zamora confirmed their identities, as reported by CNN Portugal.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the remains were transported to the nearby town of Puebla de Sanabria. A source from the Spanish government confirmed the crash is being investigated as a potential speeding incident. On Thursday afternoon, family members of the brothers gathered in Puebla de Sanabria to complete the necessary administrative procedures for the release and return of their remains to Portugal.

A wake for Diogo Jota and André Silva is set to take place at a church in their hometown of Gondomar, which is located near Porto. According to church officials, doors at the Igreja Martiz de Gondomar opened to the public on Friday afternoon for those wishing to pay their respects. The funeral service for the brothers is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (5 a.m. ET).

Diogo Jota made significant contributions to Liverpool FC, playing a vital role in the team that recently lifted the Premier League trophy, marking the club's 20th top-flight title. Over the course of the last season, he appeared in 26 of the 38 league matches, netting six goals and providing four assists. In total, during his five-year tenure at Liverpool, Jota scored 65 goals and helped the club secure one FA Cup and two EFL Cups.

Furthermore, Jota represented the Portugal national team, contributing to their victory in the UEFA Nations League this past June, a title they also won in 2019. In contrast, André Silva played for Futebol Clube de Penafiel in the Liga Portugal 2, where he recorded an impressive 12 goals and 10 assists in 105 matches throughout his career at both youth and senior levels.

As the news of the brothers' tragic passing spread, tributes poured in from across the soccer community. Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo expressed disbelief, stating that Jota’s death “does not make sense.” Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who brought Jota to the club in 2020, shared his condolences, offering “prayers, thoughts, and power” to the grieving family. Current Liverpool manager Arne Slot also honored Jota, emphasizing that the team will eventually celebrate his achievements but will first mourn the loss of a remarkable individual who will never be forgotten.

In addition to tributes from the soccer world, messages of support came from outside the sport as well, including NBA star LeBron James and Prince William of the United Kingdom, who expressed his deep sadness over the tragic event.