New Twist in Diogo Jota Case: GPS Data and Final Location Pin Raise Questions
The tragic deaths of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain, have taken a perplexing turn. Initial reports suggested the 28-year-old Portuguese star and his 25-year-old brother were driving to Santander to catch a ferry back to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. However, newly uncovered GPS data from Jota’s vehicle reveals he was not heading toward Santander as previously assumed. Adding to the mystery, Spanish police are now investigating an unidentified individual who sent a final location pin from Jota’s phone at 11:57 PM, just 33 minutes before the fatal crash at 12:30 AM. This revelation, combined with Jota’s cryptic final voicemail to a blocked number ending with “Tell her… I tried,” has deepened the intrigue surrounding the circumstances of his death.
The Crash and Initial Findings
Diogo Jota, a celebrated forward who helped Liverpool secure the 2024-25 Premier League title, was driving a Lamborghini with his brother André, a professional footballer for Penafiel FC, when the vehicle suffered a suspected tire blowout on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora. The car veered off the road, crashed into the central reservation, and burst into flames, killing both occupants. Spanish authorities, specifically the Guardia Civil, initially attributed the accident to a combination of a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver and possible excessive speed, with preliminary reports suggesting Jota was driving above the 120 km/h (74.5 mph) speed limit.
The brothers’ identities were confirmed through documents recovered at the scene and forensic testing in Puebla de Sanabria. Jota, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days earlier and had three young children, was reportedly advised against flying due to recent lung surgery, prompting the road trip to Santander for a ferry. However, the latest GPS data has upended this narrative, indicating Jota’s route was not consistent with a journey to Santander, raising questions about his intended destination.
GPS Data and the Unexpected Route
According to sources close to the investigation, GPS records from Jota’s vehicle, accessed through the Lamborghini’s onboard navigation system, show the car was traveling on a trajectory that diverged from the expected route to Santander. While earlier reports assumed Jota was heading east toward the port city, the GPS data suggests he was moving in a direction that did not align with this destination. Specific details about the route remain undisclosed, as the Guardia Civil is still analyzing the data to determine whether Jota was intentionally traveling elsewhere or if the deviation was due to navigational error or external factors.
This revelation has prompted speculation about Jota’s plans that night. Was he meeting someone before heading to Santander, or had his plans changed entirely? The isolated stretch of the A-52 highway where the crash occurred is not a known detour for reaching Santander, and the poor condition of the road, as noted by two Portuguese lorry drivers who witnessed the crash, may have contributed to the accident. These drivers, José Aleixo Duarte and Azevedo, disputed police claims of speeding, asserting the road was “in terrible condition” and that Jota’s driving appeared “completely calm.”
The Mysterious Location Pin
Perhaps the most intriguing development is the discovery of a location pin sent from Jota’s phone at 11:57 PM, just minutes before the crash. This pin, which marked the car’s position on the A-52 near Cernadilla, was sent to an undisclosed recipient. Spanish police are now focusing on identifying who received this pin and whether it was sent by Jota himself or someone else with access to his phone. The timing—33 minutes before the accident—suggests it could be critical to understanding the events leading up to the tragedy.
The identity of the recipient remains unknown, and authorities have not confirmed whether the pin was sent to the same blocked number that received Jota’s final voicemail. The voicemail, which ended with the cryptic phrase “Tell her… I tried,” has already fueled speculation about Jota’s state of mind and relationships. The location pin adds another layer of complexity, as it raises the possibility that Jota was communicating with someone about his whereabouts shortly before the crash. Was the pin sent as a routine update, a distress signal, or something else entirely? The Guardia Civil’s traffic division is reportedly examining phone records and digital forensics to trace the recipient and determine the context of the message.
Police Investigation Intensifies
The Spanish Civil Guard’s investigation, centered in Zamora, is now exploring multiple angles. In addition to analyzing tire marks and vehicle data to confirm the cause of the crash, investigators are delving into Jota’s phone activity, including the voicemail and location pin. The preliminary report, expected to be submitted to the court in Puebla de Sanabria, has been delayed due to the complexity of the fire-damaged Lamborghini, which complicates forensic analysis. The police are also revisiting witness statements, particularly those of the lorry drivers who challenged the speeding narrative, to reconcile conflicting accounts.
The suggestion of speeding, based on tire marks extending 100 meters from the point of impact, has been contentious. While the Guardia Civil’s initial findings pointed to Jota driving above the speed limit, the lorry drivers’ testimony suggests the road’s poor condition and darkness may have been significant factors. The GPS data and location pin now introduce the possibility that Jota’s destination or interactions that night could provide new clues about the accident’s circumstances.
A Community in Mourning
The football world continues to grieve Jota and André Silva, with tributes from teammates, rivals, and global figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Prince William. Liverpool retired Jota’s number 20 shirt, a historic first for the club, and fans have left flowers, scarves, and messages at Anfield. The brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, attended by Liverpool players like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, was a poignant moment of collective mourning. Jota’s legacy as a humble, hardworking player and devoted family man endures, with his chant echoing at matches and his contributions to Liverpool’s Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Nations League victories celebrated.
Unanswered Questions
The emergence of the GPS data and the 11:57 PM location pin has transformed the narrative of Jota’s final hours. Who was the intended recipient of the location pin, and how does it connect to the blocked number that received his haunting voicemail? Was Jota’s detour intentional, or was he misled by navigation or external instructions? As Spanish authorities continue their investigation, the football community and Jota’s family await answers that may shed light on these mysteries. For now, the enigma of Diogo Jota’s final moments deepens, casting a shadow over a tragedy that has already left an indelible mark on the sport.
