TWIST: Diogo Jota’s Wife Said He “Avoided That Road at Night” — Fueling New Doubts About Who Decided to Take the A-52
She now questions whether her husband ever meant to drive that night.
TWIST REVEAL: A Deer Crossed Just 4 Seconds Before Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Spun Off the A-52 — Dashcam Footage and Wife’s Statement Raise New Suspicions
On July 3, 2025, Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, tragically died in a fiery car crash on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Spain. The brothers were traveling in a £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán when it veered off the road, rolled, and burst into flames. Initially attributed to a tire blowout and possible speeding, the investigation took a dramatic turn with dashcam footage revealing a deer crossing the road just four seconds before the swerve. Now, a new revelation from Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, adds further mystery: Jota “avoided that road at night,” fueling doubts about who decided to take the A-52 and whether he intended to drive that evening.
The Crash: A Heartbreaking Tragedy
The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on a treacherous stretch of the A-52 in Zamora province, close to Portugal’s border. Jota, 28, and André, 26, a professional footballer for Penafiel, were en route to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, as Jota had been advised against flying due to a prior lung surgery. The Lamborghini, capable of 325 km/h, was overtaking another vehicle when it struck the central reservation, rolled, and ignited, sparking a roadside blaze. Both brothers perished at the scene, leaving behind devastated families and a grieving football community.
Tributes flooded in from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “devastating,” and Liverpool’s Arne Slot, who postponed pre-season training. Fans laid flowers at Anfield, and Jota’s FIFA celebration was replicated by PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos in a moving tribute. The brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5 drew teammates, including Virgil van Dijk.
Initial Findings: Tire Blowout and Speeding
Spain’s Guardia Civil initially cited a tire blowout as the cause, noting the Lamborghini was overtaking at the time. A July 8 police report suggested Jota, likely the driver, may have exceeded the 120 km/h speed limit, based on tire marks and forensic evidence. The A-52’s poor condition—marked by potholes, dips, and a history of fatal crashes—amplified scrutiny. A Spanish official called the road “dangerous,” sparking calls for safety upgrades.
However, Portuguese truck driver Jose Azevedo, who filmed the wreckage, disputed the speeding claim, saying the Lamborghini overtook his vehicle “calmly.” His account, combined with the road’s notorious hazards, raised questions about the police’s conclusions.
Dashcam Evidence: A Deer’s Role
On July 4, dashcam footage published by The Sun shifted the narrative. The video shows the Lamborghini navigating a curve when it hits an unmarked dip, jolting visibly before swerving left, striking the barrier, and rolling. Crucially, a deer crosses the road four seconds earlier, barely visible at the frame’s edge. The timing aligns with the swerve, suggesting Jota may have reacted to avoid the animal. This revelation challenges the tire blowout theory, pointing to a possible chain reaction: a sudden swerve, a road defect, and a tire failure under stress.
The A-52’s lack of wildlife fencing, common in rural Zamora, has drawn criticism. Experts now believe the deer, combined with the dip and potential tire issues, created a deadly scenario. Forensic tests continue to analyze the vehicle, road, and footage.
New Twist: Rute Cardoso’s Statement
On July 9, Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife of 11 days and mother of their three children, made a bombshell statement to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã. She revealed that Jota “avoided that road at night” due to its dangerous reputation and poor lighting. “He knew the A-52 was risky, especially after dark,” she said. “I don’t understand why he was there.” Cardoso now questions whether Jota intended to drive that night, hinting at uncertainty over who decided to take the A-52.
This raises startling possibilities. Was Jota pressured to take the route, perhaps to meet the ferry schedule? Could André have influenced the decision, or was another factor at play? Cardoso’s statement has fueled speculation about the brothers’ travel plans, with some questioning whether Jota was even behind the wheel. The Guardia Civil has not confirmed the driver’s identity, and while forensic evidence leans toward Jota, Cardoso’s doubts have prompted calls to re-examine witness statements and the vehicle’s data recorder.
Reassessing the Investigation
The combined evidence paints a complex picture. The deer’s crossing, the road’s defects, and the tire blowout suggest multiple factors converged. Cardoso’s revelation adds a human element, questioning the circumstances leading to the A-52’s selection. Investigators are now probing the brothers’ itinerary, including why they chose a night drive despite Jota’s apparent caution. The Lamborghini’s black box, if intact, could clarify speed, steering, and driver inputs.
The A-52’s systemic issues—unmarked dips, no wildlife barriers, and inadequate maintenance—remain central. Local advocates demand reforms, citing the road’s history of 12 fatal crashes in 2025 alone. The dashcam’s role has also sparked debate about mandating such devices for commercial vehicles.
Ethical Concerns and Media Sensitivity
The release of dashcam footage and Cardoso’s public statement have stirred ethical concerns. While critical for transparency, the graphic video has distressed Jota’s family, with Cardoso pleading for restraint. Liverpool FC and the Portuguese Football Federation have urged media to prioritize dignity. The balance between public interest and private grief remains contentious, as fans seek clarity while honoring the victims.
A Legacy Overshadowed by Questions
Jota’s 65 goals in 182 Liverpool games and André’s rising career at Penafiel defined their legacies. Yet, the crash’s unresolved questions—why the A-52, who drove, and how the deer factored in—loom large. Cardoso’s doubts underscore the personal tragedy: a father and husband gone too soon, under circumstances she now finds inexplicable.
Calls for Change and Closure
The crash has galvanized demands for A-52 safety upgrades, including wildlife fencing, better signage, and road repairs. As Spain’s investigation deepens, the football world seeks closure. Jota and André’s memory endures through tributes at Anfield and beyond, but their story underscores the urgency of preventing such losses. Whether Jota swerved for a deer, hit a dip, or faced an unforeseen decision to take a deadly road, the truth remains elusive—but the call for answers, and justice, grows louder.
