‘He’s Alive’: André Silva’s Wife Speaks After Diogo Jota’s Brother Dies in Tragic Crash

RB Leipzig striker André Silva is safe and well but he and his family had to make that clear themselves after a tragic mix-up left fans fearing the worst.

In a heartbreaking twist, the football world has been mourning the shocking death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota’s brother also named André Silva, who recently died in a car accident near Porto, Portugal. The incident shook Portuguese football, but also triggered confusion online because of the identical name shared with the RB Leipzig striker.

Soon after the devastating news broke, thousands of fans, friends, and football pages began mistakenly sharing condolences for the Bundesliga star. Many feared that the 29-year-old forward who has played for clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Sociedad, and Werder Bremen had lost his life in the tragic crash.

To stop the rumors from spiraling out of control, André Silva’s wife, Maria Rodrigues, took to Instagram on Sunday, July 6, to set the record straight. Her public statement reassured concerned supporters that her husband is alive, while also redirecting sympathy toward the real victims’ family.

“I have been receiving so many kind messages but I need to clarify that this devastating news is not about my husband, André Silva,” Rodrigues wrote. “He is alive and well. Our hearts go out to Diogo Jota and his family at this incredibly difficult time.”

André Silva, who now plays as a striker for RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, once shared the same dressing room with Diogo Jota at FC Porto. The pair made 29 appearances together for the Portuguese giants, scoring seven goals between them. Their bond extended beyond the pitch which is why the tragedy hit so close to home for the footballer and his family.

After clarifying that he was not the one who passed away, Silva and his wife travelled to Gondomar, near Porto, to attend the emotional funeral service for Jota’s brother. Held at the Chapel of the Resurrection, the farewell ceremony drew hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, former teammates and local supporters.

The Leipzig striker joined other mourners in laying flowers at the chapel and paying tribute to his late friend and his brother. In a heartfelt social media post following the funeral, Silva reflected on the fragility of life:

“It’s so hard to believe. Life is unpredictable, we take so much for granted until the unexpected happens,” he shared. “We shared moments on and off the pitch. Laughter, goals, the grind, the small talks all so much heavier now. Rest peacefully, Jota and André. You’ll always be part of us.”

This tragic mix-up and the flood of incorrect reports highlight how quickly misinformation can spread online, especially when names are similar and emotions are high. For André Silva and Maria Rodrigues, it meant a few anxious days explaining the truth and reuniting fans around the real victims.

For Diogo Jota, the loss of his brother has shaken Liverpool’s tight-knit Portuguese connection and united the football community in grief. Hundreds of supporters across social media have now redirected their thoughts and prayers to the bereaved family.

Silva’s presence at the funeral standing side by side with former Porto teammates and the Jota family underscored the brotherhood that binds players beyond club rivalries and national leagues.

For now, the Portuguese striker is back in training with RB Leipzig, focused on the upcoming Bundesliga season but carrying with him the emotional weight of this tragedy.

As fans around the world digest this sad story, the clear message from Maria Rodrigues helped set the record straight: RB Leipzig’s André Silva is alive and safe and stands with Diogo Jota’s family during their darkest hour