Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother killed in car accident in Spain

Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were killed in a car accident in Spain when the Lamborghini they were in veered off a road and burst into flames, police said Thursday.

The Spanish Civil Guard confirmed that the 28-year-old Jota and his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, were found dead near the northwestern city of Zamora.

Jota's death came weeks after he married Rute Cardoso while on vacation from a long season where he helped Liverpool win the Premier League title. On getting married, she wrote in a social media post, "Yes to forever." He left behind three children, the youngest born last year.

Police were investigating the causes of the accident that occurred past midnight local time. They said there were no other vehicles involved and that the brothers were alone in the car. The bodies were undergoing forensic analysis.

It wasn't clear who was driving. Police were looking into the hypothesis that the accident happened because of a blown tire while they tried to overtake another vehicle.

The crash occurred while Jota and Silva, who is also a Portuguese football player, were traveling eastward along an isolated stretch of highway near the Portuguese border.

Video images of the aftermath published by Spanish media showed braking tire marks veering off the road toward torn-apart guardrails. The burnt-up car was seen several meters ahead, with vegetation around it destroyed by the fire.

Video shot by a trucker passing by the scene and published by local media showed the Lamborghini in flames.

The funeral is expected to take place on Saturday in the Portuguese city of Porto.

Liverpool said the club was "devastated."

"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support," the club said.

Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said Jota was "an athlete who greatly honored Portugal's name."

"I extend my deepest condolences to their family," he said. "It is a sad day for soccer and for national and international sports."

The Premier League said it was "shocked and devastated."

"Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo's family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time," it said. "Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club."