Spanish police have said Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota was likely speeding when his vehicle veered off a motorway in Spain last week, resulting in a fatal crash that claimed his life and that of his younger brother, André Silva.
The tragic accident occurred on July 3 in the northwestern province of Zamora, just days after Jota, 28, had celebrated his wedding to longtime partner Rute Cardoso. His brother André, 25, a midfielder for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second division, also died in the crash.
An ongoing investigation by the Spanish Civil Guard revealed that “marks left by one of the vehicle’s wheels” suggested the car was traveling “at a speed exceeding the road’s limit.” Authorities confirmed that all current evidence indicates Jota was driving at the time of the accident.
Initial reports had suggested a blown tyre during an overtaking manoeuvre may have led to the car losing control and catching fire.
Just hours before the crash, Jota had shared a video of his June 22 wedding, where he was seen celebrating with Cardoso and their three children. The devastating news sparked widespread grief across the football world, particularly in Portugal and among Liverpool supporters.
A funeral held on Saturday in Gondomar, a suburb of Porto, drew a large crowd including political leaders, teammates, and figures from both Portuguese and English football.
Jota’s career saw him rise through clubs such as Atlético Madrid, FC Porto, and Wolverhampton Wanderers before becoming a fan favourite at Liverpool, where he signed in 2020. Over five seasons with the Reds, he scored 65 goals and helped the club win the League Cup, FA Cup, and their 20th English league title. He was also capped 49 times for Portugal and was part of the squad that lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy earlier this year.
