In a heart-wrenching turn of events that has left the football world in mourning, the final days of André Silva, the 25-year-old Portuguese footballer and younger brother of Liverpool star Diogo Jota, have come to light, revealing a poignant love story cut short by tragedy. On July 3, 2025, André and Diogo, 28, lost their lives in a devastating car crash in northwestern Spain, just 13 days after Diogo’s wedding and, as newly uncovered details reveal, mere days after André’s own heartfelt proposal to his fiancée, Inês Almeida. The revelation of André’s engagement, kept private until now, has added an even deeper layer of sorrow to the loss of the two brothers, whose inseparable bond and shared passion for football inspired countless fans. As tributes pour in, the story of André’s final moments—a romantic proposal filled with hope and love—stands as a bittersweet testament to a life taken too soon.

André Silva, a rising star in Portugal’s Liga Portugal 2 with FC Penafiel, was known for his tenacity and skill as an attacking midfielder, carving out a promising career in the shadow of his older brother’s global fame. Born on April 28, 2000, in Gondomar, a small town near Porto, André shared Diogo’s love for football from a young age. The brothers grew up kicking a ball in the streets, their dreams nurtured by their parents, Joaquim and Isabel Silva, and their tight-knit community. While Diogo rose to international stardom with Liverpool and the Portuguese national team, André forged his own path, earning respect for his work ethic and infectious energy. His journey took him through the youth academies of Porto, Paços de Ferreira, Famalicão, and Boavista before he returned to Gondomar to begin his senior career in 2021. By 2023, he had signed a three-year contract with Penafiel, where he became a regular starter, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in the 2022–23 season.

Off the pitch, André was a devoted partner to Inês Almeida, a 24-year-old business administration graduate from Porto who had been his high school sweetheart. The couple’s relationship, which began when they were teenagers, was marked by quiet moments of affection rather than public displays, a contrast to Diogo’s high-profile romance with his wife, Rute Cardoso. André and Inês were often spotted together at local cafés in Gondomar or cheering Diogo on at Portugal matches, their bond evident in their shared laughter and mutual support. Friends described Inês as André’s “rock,” someone who encouraged his football ambitions while he, in turn, supported her studies and her budding career in marketing. Their love story, though less publicized than Diogo’s, was no less profound, culminating in a proposal that has now become a heartbreaking symbol of their unfulfilled future.

According to close family friends, André proposed to Inês on June 28, 2025, just five days before the tragic accident. The proposal took place at a secluded beach in Matosinhos, a coastal town near Porto known for its stunning sunsets. André, ever the romantic, planned a private evening under the stars, setting up a small picnic with fairy lights and a playlist of their favorite songs, including Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” which they had danced to at a school event years earlier. Dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, André got down on one knee and presented Inês with a delicate rose gold ring, engraved with their initials. “I want to build a life with you,” he reportedly said, his words simple yet filled with conviction. Inês, overcome with emotion, said yes, and the couple spent the evening dreaming of a future that included a wedding, children, and André’s continued rise in football.

The proposal was kept secret at André’s request, as he wanted to share the news with his family first, particularly Diogo, who had just married Rute Cardoso on June 22 in a lavish ceremony at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. The brothers, inseparable since childhood, were in a celebratory mood, with André serving as Diogo’s best man. The wedding, attended by football stars like Virgil van Dijk and Bernardo Silva, was a joyous occasion, with André delivering a heartfelt speech about his brother’s loyalty and love. “Diogo’s my hero, but he’s also my best friend,” André said, raising a glass to the newlyweds. Little did anyone know that the brothers’ time together was drawing to a tragic close.

On July 3, 2025, André and Diogo were traveling together in a Lamborghini Huracán on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain, en route to Santander to catch a ferry back to the UK for Diogo’s pre-season training with Liverpool. Diogo, advised against air travel due to recent lung surgery, was reportedly driving when the car suffered a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a barrier, and burst into flames, killing both brothers instantly. Spanish emergency services confirmed the cause as a high-speed crash, with the car “significantly exceeding” the highway’s speed limit. The tragedy, occurring just 11 days after Diogo’s wedding and days after André’s proposal, sent shockwaves through the football community and beyond.

The news of André’s engagement emerged during the brothers’ joint funeral on July 5, 2025, at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the same church where Diogo had married Rute. The service, attended by thousands, including Liverpool players, Portuguese stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, and local fans, was a somber affair. Inês, dressed in black and visibly devastated, was seen clutching the rose gold ring André had given her, supported by her family and Rute, who also mourned the loss of her husband. During the ceremony, presided over by Porto’s Bishop Manuel Linda, a family friend read a letter Inês had written to André, revealing their engagement to the mourners. “You promised me forever, and I’ll carry your love in my heart always,” she wrote, her words reducing many to tears. The letter, kept private until that moment, painted a picture of a young man full of hope, planning a future that was cruelly stolen.

The football world rallied around the Silva family, with tributes pouring in from clubs like Liverpool, Porto, and Penafiel. Penafiel declared official mourning, with players wearing black armbands in André’s honor during their next match. A banner outside the Estádio Municipal 25 de Abril read, “André Silva, Para Sempre Um de Nós” (Forever One of Us), reflecting his impact on the club. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk carried a floral tribute shaped like Diogo’s number 20 shirt, while teammate Andrew Robertson carried one for André’s number 30. Portuguese stars like Bruno Fernandes and Rúben Neves, who served as a pallbearer for Diogo, spoke of the brothers’ humility and talent. “They were more than footballers—they were family to us all,” Neves said on Instagram Stories.

Inês, now left to grieve both André and the future they planned, has remained out of the public eye, supported by her family and the Gondomar community. Friends say she plans to honor André’s memory by continuing his charitable work, including a youth football program he co-founded with Diogo to support underprivileged children in Porto. The program, which André was passionate about, has received an outpouring of donations since the tragedy, with fans hoping to keep his legacy alive.

The loss of André and Diogo has left an indelible mark on football and their hometown. In Gondomar, where the brothers were local heroes, residents gathered to mourn, sharing stories of their kindness and dedication. “André never let fame change him,” said João Ferreira, a neighbor who remembered the brothers playing in the streets. “He was always smiling, always helping.” The tragedy, compounded by the revelation of André’s proposal, has resonated globally, with fans on X sharing messages of condolence using hashtags like #SilvaBrothers and #ForeverWithUs.

As the world reflects on André’s final days, his love story with Inês stands as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility. The image of him proposing on a moonlit beach, full of dreams for a shared future, contrasts heartbreakingly with the tragedy that followed. For Inês, Rute, and the Silva family, the pain of losing André and Diogo is unimaginable, yet their legacies—of love, loyalty, and passion—endure. In the words of a fan outside the funeral, “They were taken too soon, but their light will shine forever.”