CHILLING MOMENT: Diogo Jota’s Mother Received a 1-Second Call from His Phone Just 3 Hours After He Was Declared Dead
The tragic death of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, has left a void in the hearts of their family, friends, and fans worldwide. As the football community mourns the loss of the 28-year-old Portuguese forward, a haunting new detail has emerged: three hours after Jota was declared dead, his mother, Isabel Silva, received a one-second call from his phone. The fleeting, silent call has added an eerie layer of mystery to an already devastating story, leaving Jota’s family grappling with grief, confusion, and unanswered questions.
The Tragedy That Shook the World
Diogo Jota and his younger brother André, a 25-year-old professional footballer for Penafiel, perished in a catastrophic accident on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, in northwestern Spain. The brothers were traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota had been advised against flying due to recent lung surgery. Around 2 a.m., their Lamborghini Huracan suffered a suspected tire blowout while overtaking, causing the car to veer off the road, strike the central reservation, and burst into flames. Spanish authorities have suggested Jota was driving and may have been exceeding the 120km/h speed limit, though the investigation remains ongoing. The crash claimed both lives instantly, leaving behind a trail of grief and a series of poignant discoveries.
Jota’s death came at a time of personal and professional triumph. He had just celebrated a Premier League title with Liverpool, a UEFA Nations League victory with Portugal, and his wedding to childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple, parents to three young children—sons Denis and Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024—were expecting their fourth child. Among the wreckage, investigators found a letter Jota had written to his unborn second child, a heartbreaking revelation that underscored his devotion as a father. Now, the mysterious phone call to his mother adds another layer of emotional complexity to the tragedy.
The Chilling Call: A Glimpse Beyond the Grave?
At approximately 5 a.m. on July 3, three hours after Jota and André were pronounced dead at the scene, Isabel Silva’s phone lit up with a call from her son’s number. The call lasted just one second—too brief for words, too fleeting for clarity. According to sources close to the family, Isabel was already reeling from the news of her sons’ deaths when the call came through, intensifying her shock and sorrow. The silence on the other end offered no answers, only a haunting reminder of the son she had lost.
Speculation about the call has swirled, particularly on platforms like X, where fans and followers have shared theories ranging from technical glitches to supernatural phenomena. “It’s probably just a network error, but it’s so eerie,” one user posted. Another wrote, “Imagine getting that call from your son’s phone after he’s gone. My heart breaks for his mom.” While some have suggested the call could be a cruel prank or a result of automated systems, others see it as a poignant, inexplicable moment that resonates with the family’s grief.
Experts in telecommunications offer a more grounded explanation. Dr. Maria Torres, a mobile network specialist, notes that “posthumous calls” can occur due to network delays, automated systems, or even a phone’s battery discharging in a way that triggers a brief connection. “In rare cases, a damaged device or a queued call can be released hours later, especially if the phone wasn’t immediately powered off,” she explains. Given the fiery nature of the crash, it’s possible Jota’s phone, if not entirely destroyed, sent a signal as its systems failed. Yet for Isabel, the technical explanation offers little solace in the face of such a visceral reminder of her loss.
A Mother’s Grief and a Family’s Legacy
For Isabel Silva, the call was a gut-wrenching moment in an already unbearable day. Losing both Diogo and André in a single tragedy has left the family shattered. Isabel, who raised her sons in Gondomar, Portugal, was a constant source of support for Jota’s career, from his early days at Paços de Ferreira to his rise as a Liverpool star. The brothers shared a close bond, with André often described as Diogo’s biggest cheerleader. Their funeral on July 5, attended by football luminaries like Virgil van Dijk, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Bruno Fernandes, was a testament to their impact both on and off the pitch.
The one-second call has become a focal point for Isabel’s grief, a fleeting connection to her son that raises questions she may never answer. Dr. Emily Harper, a grief counselor, explains that such events can profoundly affect the mourning process. “Receiving a call from a deceased loved one’s phone can feel like a message from beyond, even if logic suggests otherwise,” she says. “For a mother, it’s a moment that crystallizes the pain of loss while also offering a strange sense of closeness.” Isabel has not spoken publicly about the call, but those close to her say she is focusing on supporting Rute and her grandchildren while cherishing memories of her sons.
The Bro community and Public Response
The football community has rallied around Jota’s family, with tributes pouring in from Anfield to Porto. Liverpool fans have left flowers, scarves, and messages outside the stadium, while the club has vowed to honor Jota’s legacy, with talks of retiring his number 20 shirt. The letter to his unborn child, found in the glove compartment, and now this mysterious call have deepened the public’s sense of Jota as a man of profound love and humanity. “He was more than a footballer,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said. “He was a son, a husband, a father, a brother—a man who lived for those he loved.”
On X, fans have expressed a mix of sorrow and fascination, with some urging respect for the family’s privacy. “Let’s not turn this call into a ghost story,” one user wrote. “His mom doesn’t need that.” Others have shared stories of similar experiences, highlighting how technology can intersect with grief in unexpected ways. The call, though brief, has become a symbol of the lingering presence of Jota in the lives of those he touched.
Moving Forward: A Family’s Resilience
As Rute Cardoso prepares to welcome her fourth child, and Isabel Silva navigates the loss of both her sons, the one-second call remains a haunting footnote in a story of love and tragedy. The letter to Jota’s unborn child, the drawing from his son, and now this fleeting call paint a picture of a man whose life was defined by his connections to family. While investigators continue to probe the crash’s cause, the focus for Jota’s loved ones is on healing and honoring his memory.
The call may never be fully explained, but its impact on Isabel is undeniable—a fleeting, silent moment that carries the weight of a lifetime of love. As the world remembers Diogo Jota for his goals, his passion, and his triumphs, his family holds onto the private moments—the letter, the drawing, the call—that reveal the heart of a man gone too soon.
