ZAMORA, Spain — Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal footballer, was speeding when the car he was driving veered off the A-52 motorway in northwest Spain, killing him and his brother, according to police findings.
Spanish police say Jota lost control of his Lamborghini after a tyre burst, causing the vehicle to crash in the early hours of Thursday, 3 July, near the town of Palacios de Sanabria. He and his brother, André Silva, were both killed at the scene.
“All the evidence so far indicates that the driver of the crashed vehicle was Diogo Jota,” Spanish police said in a statement reported by the BBC. “The expert report is in the final stages, but as it is subject to judicial review, it will be submitted to the Puebla de Sanabria court.”
A preliminary report, cited by Sky Sports, suggests that Jota was exceeding the speed limit when the accident happened. However, authorities also noted that tyre marks at the scene point to an evasive manoeuvre, suggesting he may have swerved to avoid a collision.
The news has sent a wave of grief through the football world, with fans and fellow players mourning the sudden loss of one of Europe’s brightest talents. Jota, 27, had just returned to training after recovering from lung surgery and was advised not to fly. He and his brother were believed to be driving to Santander to catch a ferry to England, ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season sessions.
The crash came less than two weeks after Jota married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in a private ceremony in Porto. The couple shared three young children.
In Cernailla, near where the crash occurred, local residents are outraged. Many blame the dangerous state of the A-52 motorway calling it “a goat track” and “a death trap.” Their frustration is growing louder, with calls mounting for the government to declare the road a public safety emergency.
“People have been dying here for years,” one resident told El País. “Now that it’s taken someone famous, maybe something will finally change.”
The A-52, which connects Galicia to the Castile and León region, is known for its sharp turns and frequent maintenance issues. Campaigners have long demanded that Spanish authorities invest in major safety upgrades.
Jota, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, quickly became a fan favourite at Anfield. Known for his sharp movement and instinctive finishing, he scored crucial goals in domestic and European campaigns.
As investigations continue, fans across the world are paying tribute not only to the athlete, but to a young man whose life and family were torn apart in seconds.
Liverpool FC, in a statement last week, said: “Diogo was a cherished member of our family on and off the pitch. Our hearts go out to his wife Rute, their children, and all who loved him.”
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