Liverpool fans continue to gather outside Anfield to pay their respects to Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother Andre Silva in an autocrash in Spain.
His 26-year-old brother was also a professional footballer with Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel.
The Guardia Civil has told BBC Sport that Jota and his brother died at about 00:30 local time on Thursday.
It was gathered that their car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre burst while overtaking another vehicle and then caught fire.
Fans trooped out in their numbers outside Anfield to pay their respect for the Liverpool forward.
Courtney Neary, 26, says, “He embodied what the club was; he always tried his hardest and had a laugh whilst doing it with his cheeky little celebrations.
“He was part of the reason why we won the league, and I hope we can win it next season for him.”
Another Liverpool fan, Chloe, said Jota was a fan-favourite player, and a popular chant referencing his shirt number is “one of the best songs the Kop has ever sung”.
A video message recorded by Jota, in which he cheekily agreed with a vote crowning it Liverpool’s best, was widely shared in May.
It was “a song of joy and triumph”, she recalls.
“It will ring around Anfield next season.”
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JUST IN: Liverpool forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash
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Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich hold silent tribute for Jota
Jota married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, just last month.
He recently posted pictures on social media, external to the ceremony, which took place on 22 June.
Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season and also played for Portugal as they beat Spain in the final of the Nations League in June.
“The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated,” read an FPF statement.
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 international appearances, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
The FPF has requested that European football’s governing body Uefa observe a minute’s silence before Portugal’s Women’s Euros game against Spain on Thursday.
Jota spent the 2016-17 season on loan with Porto, where his brother was a youth player.
“It is with shock and deep sorrow that we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva,” read a club statement. “Rest in peace.”
