By Ubong Usoro The football world has been shaken by heartbreaking losses. In mourning, several clubs have honoured their fallen players by retiring their shirt numbers, an emblem of respect and remembrance. Federico Pisani Club: Atalanta BC, Serie A (Italy) Position: Forward Number: #14 Federico Pisani was an Italian player who tragically died in a car …
Footballers who died in car or plane crashes
By Ubong Usoro
The football world has been shaken by heartbreaking losses. In mourning, several clubs have honoured their fallen players by retiring their shirt numbers, an emblem of respect and remembrance.
Federico Pisani
Club: Atalanta BC, Serie A (Italy)
Position: Forward
Number: #14
Federico Pisani was an Italian player who tragically died in a car crash on 12 February 1997, aged 22. He was returning from Campione d’Italia, a small Italian enclave at the border with Switzerland, when his BMW crashed. Atalanta, based in Bergamo, swiftly retired his iconic #14 jersey and named a stand in his honour at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
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Ray Jones
Club: Queens Park Rangers (QPR), Championship (England)
Position: Striker
Number: #31
Ray Jones, a promising young English striker, died in a head-on collision on 25 August 2007, at just 18. QPR, based in London, retired his #31 jersey in remembrance of his rising talent and impact on the team.
Junior Malanda
Club: VfL Wolfsburg, Bundesliga (Germany)
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Number: #19 (Tribute on Kit)
Malanda was a Belgian international who died in a high-speed crash on a wet road in Northern Germany on 10 January 2015, at age 20. Wolfsburg, based in Lower Saxony, honoured him with a green heart bearing #19 on their DFB-Pokal final kit, forever embedding his memory in club history.
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José Antonio Reyes
Club: Extremadura UD, Segunda División (Spain)
Position: Winger / Forward
Number: #19 (Retired)
On 1 June 2019, Reyes, a Spanish international, died in a car accident near Utrera, Spain. The former Sevilla, Arsenal, and Real Madrid star was playing for Extremadura UD, a club in Almendralejo. They retired his #19 jersey in his honour, though it was briefly reassigned in error before being re-retired.
Emiliano Sala
Club: FC Nantes, Ligue 1 (France)
Position: Striker
Number: #9
Sala was an Argentine player whose plane tragically crashed into the English Channel on 21 January 2019 while travelling to join Cardiff City. Nantes, based in western France, retired his #9 jersey, recalling his role as their top scorer and a beloved figure in Ligue 1.
Diogo Jota
Club: Liverpool FC, Premier League (England)
Position: Forward
Number: #20 (“Immortalised”)
Diogo Jota and his brother were Portuguese and died in a car crash in Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain, on 3 July 2025. Liverpool, one of England’s most storied clubs, announced plans to “immortalise” his #20 jersey in honour of his vital role in their 20th league title and unforgettable goals.
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