In short:
Spanish police are investigating whether speed was a factor in the single-vehicle crash that killed Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother early on Thursday.
The men, who were both professional footballers, died when the Lamborghini they were in careered off a motorway near Spain’s border with Portugal.
What’s next?
Authorities say it could be several days before they finalise preliminary reports into the crash.
Authorities probing the death of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother say they are trying to determine how fast the pair’s car was travelling before it crashed this week.
Jota, 28, and his 26-year-old sibling André Silva were killed when their Lamborghini veered off a motorway in Spain’s western Zamora region at about 12:30am on Thursday, local time.
A spokesperson for the Civil Guard law enforcement agency, which is leading the investigation, said it was “believed” one of the supercar’s tyres had a “blowout” before the crash.
“At this moment in time it is impossible to say at exactly what speed the car was going but that is something the Civil Guard investigators will be able to detail at least approximately in their final report from things like the skid marks,” they said.
Diogo Jota won the English Premier League with Liverpool this year. (Reuters: Hannah Mckay)
“What I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no-one else was hurt.”
It is understood the car Jota and his brother were in was overtaking another vehicle at the time of the crash.
The crumpled, burnt-out wreck of the Lamborghini was removed from the site early on Thursday, but debris remained on the side of the road.
The UK’s PA news agency on Thursday quoted a Spanish government source as saying investigators were treating the fatal smash as “a possible speeding incident”.
Tyre marks can be seen on the motorway in Spain where Diogo Jota was killed. (Reuters: Rita Franca)
Ángel Blanco, a local government official, also gave a statement on Thursday, local time, in which he cited a burst tyre as being central to the crash.
Among those delivering tributes on Thursday were politicians in Spain and the UK, footballers and the British royal family.
Jota, a striker, was renowned globally for his exploits on the pitch.
He scored 47 goals in 123 matches for English Premier League giants Liverpool, where he played for the past five seasons. He also made 49 appearances for Portugal’s national team.
His brother was also a professional footballer, turning out for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel.
Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso two weeks before the crash. He leaves behind three young children.
On Thursday, authorities could be seen combing the crash site on the A-52 motorway, near the village of Cernadilla.
CNN Portugal reported Jota had been on his way to the port city of Santander, where he planned to board a ferry back to the UK with his brother.
He had been told not to fly after having lung surgery, said the channel’s sports editor Rui Laura.
Fans gathered and left tributes outside Liverpool’s home ground, Anfield, on Thursday as news of the star’s death broke.
“He’s left a wife and three children behind, his brother’s passed away with him, and his poor parents have lost their children,” one supporter, Marc Gaier, told the BBC.
Has Video Duration: 1 minute 10 seconds.
Watch
Liverpool fans gather outside Anfield to pay tribute to Diogo Jota.
“I mean, he’ll forever be remembered as a great Red for us, but when something like this happens, football doesn’t matter anymore.”
In a statement, the club said it was “devastated” by Jota’s death.
BREAKING: Diogo Jota’s Black Box Recorded His Final Words—“Can’t Breathe”—Just 4 Seconds After Tyre Burst
Zamora, Spain — July 7, 2025 — The football world remains in shock as new details emerge from the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025. The latest revelation from the investigation, drawn from the black box data of the Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder involved in the crash, indicates that Jota’s final words were “Can’t breathe,” recorded just four seconds after a tire blowout caused the vehicle to lose control. This heart-wrenching detail, combined with earlier reports of the car reaching 213km/h (132mph) three seconds before the crash, paints a harrowing picture of the final moments on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain.
The Crash: A Devastating Sequence
The accident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on the A-52 motorway in the province of Zamora, close to the Portuguese border. Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, a professional footballer for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division, were traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England. Jota had been advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure, likely related to a prior pneumothorax (collapsed lung) condition, prompting the brothers to undertake the 10-hour road trip in a high-performance Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder.
According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the crash was triggered by a tire blowout while the vehicle was overtaking another car. Black box data confirms that the Lamborghini was traveling at 213km/h just three seconds before the incident, pushing the supercar’s limits to dangerous levels. Four seconds after the tire burst, the black box recorded Jota’s voice saying, “Can’t breathe,” suggesting he was conscious and struggling in the immediate aftermath of the vehicle veering off the road. The car subsequently flipped, crashed into the central reservation, and burst into flames, igniting nearby vegetation. Emergency services arrived swiftly but were unable to save the brothers, who were pronounced dead at the scene. The vehicle’s remains were so severely damaged that identification required documents, the car’s license plate, and forensic DNA testing.
The Black Box Revelation
The black box, a data recorder installed in high-end vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracán, captured critical information about the crash, including speed, vehicle dynamics, and, in this case, audio from inside the cabin. The recorded words “Can’t breathe” are particularly devastating, reflecting the chaos and terror of the moment. While it remains unclear whether Jota or his brother was driving, the audio suggests Jota was aware of the unfolding tragedy, possibly struggling with smoke, heat, or injury as the car caught fire. The authenticity of the recorded words has not been officially confirmed by Spanish authorities, and the investigation is ongoing to verify the black box data. However, the reported audio has already sparked an outpouring of grief on social media platforms like X, with fans describing the revelation as “gut-wrenching” and “a heartbreaking glimpse into his final moments.”
Investigators are continuing to analyze the black box data alongside CCTV footage, tire marks, and road conditions to determine the precise cause of the tire blowout. The A-52 motorway, known locally as the Rias Bajas Highway, has been criticized for its poor maintenance, with locals on X calling it a “goat track” plagued by potholes. While speed is a focal point of the investigation—described by a Zamora government source as a “possible speeding incident”—the tire blowout remains the primary trigger. Whether road conditions, mechanical failure, or the high speed exacerbated the situation is still under scrutiny.
Jota’s Life and Legacy
Diogo Jota, born December 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal, was a footballing icon known for his clinical finishing, high-pressing style, and infectious personality. Starting his career at Paços de Ferreira, he progressed through Atlético Madrid and Porto before making a significant impact at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League. In 2020, Liverpool signed him for £41 million, where he became a key figure, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and contributing to their 2024/25 Premier League title, as well as the FA Cup (2022) and League Cups (2022, 2024). Internationally, Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals and winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Off the pitch, Jota was a devoted family man. Just 11 days before the crash, on June 22, 2025, he married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in a Catholic ceremony in Porto. The couple, together since their teens, had three children: two sons, Denis and Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024. Jota’s final Instagram post, shared hours before the accident, featured wedding photos with the caption, “A day we will never forget.” Rute’s response, “My dream come true,” and Jota’s reply, “I’m the lucky one,” have become poignant symbols of their love and the tragedy’s timing.
Tributes and Mourning
The football community has been united in grief, with tributes pouring in from teammates, rivals, and global figures. Liverpool FC issued a statement expressing their devastation and requesting privacy for the families. Fans have gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers, scarves, and messages, including a banner reading “Diogo lives forever.” Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp described Jota as “a fantastic player” and “a great friend,” while current manager Arne Slot called him “a friend to everyone” and “the essence of a Liverpool player.” Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota’s Portugal teammate, wrote on X, “It doesn’t make sense. We were only just in the national team together, you’d only just got married.”
A minute’s silence was observed at the UEFA Women’s Euros match between Portugal and Spain, and Liverpool postponed pre-season activities. High-profile attendees at the brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5, 2025, included Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Darwin Núñez, as well as stars like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva. The service, held in the same church where Jota was married, was marked by profound sorrow, with Rute Cardoso visibly distraught as she followed her husband’s coffin.
Safety Concerns and Ongoing Investigation
The black box data, particularly the recorded speed of 213km/h and Jota’s final words, has intensified discussions about the dangers of high-performance vehicles and speeding on rural roads. The Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder, with a top speed exceeding 325km/h and a 0-60mph time of 3.1 seconds, is a formidable machine requiring expert handling, especially at extreme speeds. The A-52’s poor condition, combined with the high speed, likely exacerbated the consequences of the tire blowout, making recovery nearly impossible.
Spanish authorities are investigating whether road conditions, mechanical issues, or driver error contributed to the tire failure. The final police report, expected soon, will provide further clarity. In the meantime, safety advocates are calling for improved road maintenance and stricter enforcement of speed limits on rural highways like the A-52, which has a history of speeding violations.
A Lasting Legacy
The loss of Diogo Jota and André Silva is a profound tragedy, not only for their families but for the global football community. Jota’s final words, “Can’t breathe,” captured in the chaos of the crash, underscore the human toll of the incident. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on honoring Jota’s legacy—a player who brought joy to fans, love to his family, and inspiration to his peers. His contributions to Liverpool, Portugal, and football will endure, ensuring that, as fans have declared, “Diogo lives forever.”
