Liam Payne’s sister pays emotional tribute to Diogo Jota’s family after footballer’s tragic death
Ruth Gibbins, sister of the late One Direction star Liam Payne, has expressed her condolences to the family of Premier League footballer Diogo Jota following his death in a car crash in Spain.
The 28-year-old footballer and his brother Andre Silva were killed in the accident in Zamora, near Spain’s north-western border with Portugal.
They died when their Lamborghini left the road due to a tyre blowout whilst overtaking another vehicle. The vehicle subsequently caught fire following the accident.
The tragedy occurred just days after Jota’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso. The pair shared three children together.
Gibbins took to her Instagram stories to share her sorrow for the Jota family, posting a photograph of the late football star alongside a message of support.
The devastating crash claimed both brothers’ lives, with Jota’s new wife facing the harrowing task of identifying both bodies following the accident.
In her Instagram tribute, Gibbins wrote: “Devastating to read this today. No family should have to go through this and in such a public way. It’s utterly heartbreaking. Thinking of their families today.”
The message reflects Gibbins’ own experience with public grief following her brother’s death last year. Liam Payne died aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina in October.
Gibbins has recently shared her own ongoing grief over her brother’s death, posting about his final television appearance in the forthcoming Netflix series Building the Band.
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The show, which debuts on July 9, features Liam as a judge alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland.
Gibbins revealed she felt “immeasurable pride” watching her brother’s performance, though she was “heartbroken” he would never see the finished programme.
“You’re a star Liam, you always were and always will be,” she wrote on Instagram Stories. “Miss you more every day.”
The series was filmed several months before Liam’s death last October.
Building the Band features singers attempting to form bands while separated in booths, unable to see one another.
They must rely solely on musical compatibility and chemistry to choose their bandmates.
Presenter AJ McLean described the programme as “unlike anything you have ever seen before”, whilst Liam had completed filming months before his tragic passing.
Recently, DJ Fat Tony revealed he had attempted to support Liam with addiction struggles.
The musician, who has been sober for 18 years, told The Times Magazine: “I tried to help Liam Payne with his demons. He was incredible – a really close friend.”