Name Confusion After Jota Tragedy - RB Leipzig’s André Silva Is Alive, Wife Confirms

While mourning Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André in the wake of their tragic car accident, another footballer found himself caught in the crossfire of grief.

RB Leipzig striker André Silva—who shares his full name with Jota’s late brother—became the subject of a wave of condolence messages, prompting his wife to step forward with clarification.

Silva, 29, currently plays for Leipzig after transferring there a year ago from Eintracht Frankfurt. He's had loan spells at Real Sociedad and Werder Bremen in recent seasons.

Previously, he shared a locker room and pitch with Jota at FC Porto, where they made 29 appearances together, scoring a combined seven goals.

When news of the accident broke, many fans saw the name “André Silva” and jumped to conclusions. His wife, Maria Rodrigues, took to Instagram on Sunday, July 6, to set the record straight. “I have been receiving many kind and concerned messages lately,” Rodrigues wrote. “There seems to have been some confusion regarding the recent devastating news. I want to clarify that this information is not about my husband, André Silva. Our hearts go out to the families affected by this tragedy.”

Meanwhile, the funeral service held on Friday and Saturday drew hundreds to the Chapel of the Resurrection in Gondomar, near Porto, where the two deceased were laid to rest. The public wake saw a consistent flow of well-wishers, former teammates, and peers paying respects to both Jota and his brother.

True to solidarity, the real André Silva—accompanied by his wife—was also present at the wake, laying flowers for his friend and former teammate. He later posted a poignant tribute on social media: “I cannot believe it. We take every day for granted—but life can be brutally fragile,” he wrote. “We shared moments on and off the pitch, laughter, sacrifices, victories, and simple conversations that carry more weight now. You will always be part of us. Rest in peace, Jota and André.”

As condolences continued to pour in, Rodrigues’ clarification helped steer empathy correctly toward the grieving Jota family, while also affirming that her husband—the RB Leipzig forward—remains safe.