One year after the tragic car crash that killed former Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, new details have emerged about the cause, the reason for their journey, and the ongoing police investigation. The accident occurred on July 2, 2025, on the A-52 highway in Spain, roughly 70 miles west of Valladolid.
Cause of the Crash
The Civil Guard in Zamora confirmed that a tyre blowout caused the Lamborghini Huracan driven by Jota to veer off the road while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The car burst into flames at approximately 12:40 am. Firefighters and emergency services extinguished the blaze, but both occupants died at the scene.
A Civil Guard statement read: "The investigation into the crash is being carried out by Civil Guard traffic officers. We believe the car suffered a blowout from the marks on the road. The full police report, once it is completed, will be submitted to a duty court in Zamora, which has launched an ongoing judicial investigation into this crash." The report noted that no other vehicles were involved and no one else was hurt.
Reason for Travel
Jota, 28, had recently undergone lung surgery and was advised not to fly. According to CNN Portugal's Rui Laura, "The surgery he had had was lung surgery, and he had been advised against flying following this. He was on his way to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to cross the ferry and reach the UK that way, and carry on with the car once he reached Britain. He was on his way to Liverpool with his brother." The brothers planned to catch an overnight ferry to Portsmouth before driving to Liverpool.
Impact and Tributes
Jota's death devastated Liverpool and the football community. He had recently won the Premier League title with the Reds and married his long-term partner Rute just 11 days before the crash. His wife later shared his wedding speech on their anniversary. Jota's final competitive appearance was lifting the Nations League trophy with Portugal.
Portugal's World Cup campaign has been marked by tributes to Jota. The squad wore wristbands throughout the tournament, and stadium screens displayed his image before the opening match against DR Congo, moving his parents to tears. Portugal face Croatia in the round of 32 on the eve of the anniversary.
Manager Roberto Martinez said: "Diogo is our light. Diogo is our reference of wanting to do or needing to do what his dream was, which was winning titles for Portugal, like he did winning the Nations League. He was a big part of what we built in the dressing room. He wanted to win the World Cup, so it becomes a bit of a responsibility, an example."
Jota's international teammate Ruben Neves revealed he still sends Jota WhatsApp messages. Jota featured 37 times for Liverpool in the 2024/25 season, scoring nine goals and registering four assists.
