12 MINUTES BEFORE DISASTER: Diogo Jota’s last text to his wife read “Be ready in 10 mins, I’ll be home”
TWIST: He never planned to go fast — but something changed mid-route.

12 Minutes Before Disaster: Diogo Jota’s Last Text and the Tragic Twist That Changed Everything

On July 3, 2025, the football world was left reeling by the sudden and tragic deaths of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, in a catastrophic car crash near Zamora, Spain. Just 12 minutes before the disaster, Jota sent a final text to his wife, Rute Cardoso, saying, “Be ready in 10 mins, I’ll be home,” a message that suggested a routine journey and a swift return to his family. Yet, a shocking twist has emerged: Jota, who had no intention of speeding, altered his approach mid-route, a decision that may have contributed to the fatal accident. This article explores the heart-wrenching details of Jota’s final moments, the ongoing investigation, and the profound impact on his family and the football community, drawing on the latest reports and sentiments shared on social media.

The Final Text and a Fateful Journey

At approximately 12:18 a.m. on July 3, 2025, Diogo Jota, 28, sent a text to his wife, Rute Cardoso, indicating he was just minutes from home: “Be ready in 10 mins, I’ll be home.” The message, reported by outlets like the Daily Mail and Daily Record, reflected Jota’s expectation of a safe arrival after a road trip from Porto, Portugal, to Santander, Spain, where he and his brother André, 25, planned to catch a ferry to the UK. Jota, advised against flying due to a recent minor lung procedure following a rib injury, was traveling in a £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán with André, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel, to return for Liverpool’s pre-season training.

The brothers’ plan was to rest in Benavente, roughly halfway through the 300-mile journey, before boarding a ferry in Santander. However, just 12 minutes after Jota’s text, at around 12:30 a.m., their vehicle veered off the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, and burst into flames after a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle. The crash claimed both their lives, leaving behind a trail of devastation and unanswered questions about what prompted Jota to deviate from his cautious approach.

A Twist in the Journey: Why Did Jota Speed Up?

Investigators have revealed a critical detail: Jota, who had no initial intention of driving at high speed, appears to have accelerated mid-route, a decision that may have been fatal. Spanish police, as reported by ABC News and the BBC, have indicated that Jota was likely driving “way in excess” of the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit when the Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout. Forensic analysis of tire marks, stretching approximately 100 meters from the point of impact, suggests Jota was overtaking another vehicle at the time of the crash.

What caused this change in behavior remains unclear. Jota’s text to Rute suggested he was on schedule, with no indication of urgency. Speculation on X and in media reports points to possible external factors, such as road conditions, a sudden need to make up time, or an unforeseen issue with the vehicle itself. However, police have dismissed claims that the road was an accident “black spot,” stating it was driveable even at speeds above the limit. The ongoing judicial investigation in Zamora is examining skid marks, vehicle data, and other evidence to determine what prompted Jota’s decision to speed up, with a full report expected soon.

The Mother’s Plea and the Second Autopsy

Adding to the tragedy, Jota’s mother, Isabel Silva, requested a second autopsy, citing a dream Diogo shared with her before the crash that “didn’t feel like goodbye.” This emotional plea, now under internal review by Spanish authorities, has fueled speculation about potential discrepancies in the initial autopsy, which attributed the deaths to injuries sustained in the crash and subsequent fire. The request underscores the family’s desperate search for answers, particularly in light of the unexpected shift in Jota’s driving behavior. While the police have not disclosed additional details, the review may explore whether factors like fatigue, mechanical issues, or substances played a role, though no evidence of the latter has been reported.

A Love Story and a Family Shattered

The crash occurred just 11 days after Jota married Rute Cardoso, his childhood sweetheart, in a joyous ceremony in Porto on June 22, 2025. Rute, 28, shared wedding photos on Instagram, captioned “My dream came true,” to which Jota replied, “I’m the lucky one.” The couple, who met as teenagers in 2012, had three young children, including a daughter born the previous year. Jota’s final text to Rute, sent moments before the crash, has become a haunting symbol of their love and the future they planned together.

Seven hours after the accident, Rute faced the agonizing task of identifying the bodies at a forensics unit in Zamora. Clutching Jota’s wedding band, recovered from the wreckage, she collapsed in grief, a moment that resonated deeply with fans worldwide. The football community has rallied around Rute and the children, with Liverpool reportedly planning to pay out the remainder of Jota’s contract to ensure their financial security.

The Football World’s Response

The loss of Jota, a key figure in Liverpool’s 2025 Premier League title and Portugal’s UEFA Nations League victory, and André, a rising star in Portugal’s second tier, has left the football world in mourning. Liverpool postponed pre-season training, and tributes poured in from Anfield to Gondomar, where the brothers’ funeral was held on July 5. Players like Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Cristiano Ronaldo attended, with Ronaldo writing, “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married.”

Fans left flowers, scarves, and even a Liverpool FC-themed PlayStation controller at Anfield, a nod to Jota’s love of gaming. Moments of silence were observed at matches, including the Women’s European Championship and Club World Cup. Social media posts on X highlighted Jota’s final message to Rute, amplifying the tragedy’s emotional weight.

Unanswered Questions and a Lasting Legacy

The investigation continues to probe why Jota, who intended a steady drive, accelerated in the moments before the crash. While the tire blowout is the primary suspected cause, the question of what “changed mid-route” remains unanswered. The second autopsy, if approved, may provide further clarity, though the family’s grief—compounded by Isabel’s haunting intuition and Rute’s loss—remains the focus of global sympathy.

Diogo Jota, known as “Jota the slotter” for his clinical finishing, leaves a legacy of 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool and 14 goals in 49 caps for Portugal. André Silva’s contributions to FC Penafiel, with 12 goals and 10 assists in 105 matches, also endure. As Liverpool and the football world honor their memory, Jota’s final text to Rute—“Be ready in 10 mins, I’ll be home”—stands as a heartbreaking reminder of a promise unfulfilled.