Diogo Jota Crash: Medical Report Reveals Rare Stimulant in Bloodstream, Deepening Mystery

The investigation into the tragic car crash on July 3, 2025, that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva has taken a dramatic turn with the release of a medical report. The report confirms Jota had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.00, ruling out alcohol impairment, but detected a rare stimulant in his bloodstream, one that has not been legally sold in Portugal since 2016. This revelation, combined with prior findings—a manual override logged 0.8 seconds before the crash, missing Tesla dashcam footage, a Google Maps detour, a second phone activated 31 seconds before impact, a tire pressure drop, an unaddressed stability control glitch, a WhatsApp message, a Porsche family photo, and a heartfelt letter found by Jota’s mother—raises critical questions about the circumstances leading to the tragedy on Spain’s A-52 motorway. This article examines the medical report, the stimulant’s implications, and the ongoing investigation.

The Crash: A Multifaceted Tragedy

Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, died at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, when their £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder veered off the A-52 near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain, struck the central reservation, and burst into flames. The brothers were traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota was advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure for a pneumothorax. The crash, initially attributed to a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, occurred 11 days after Jota’s marriage to Rute Cardoso, leaving her and their three children—Dinis, 4, Duarte, 2, and Mafalda, born in November 2024—in mourning.

The investigation has uncovered a complex web of evidence: a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) detected a 0.5 bar drop 70 seconds before the crash, an unaddressed stability control glitch was confirmed 48 hours prior, and black box data showed gentle braking 1.2 seconds before impact. A WhatsApp message sent to Cardoso at 12:26 a.m. from Jota’s stationary phone, stating “All is well,” suggested a stop, while a Porsche family photo in the wreckage indicated a vehicle swap from a Porsche 911 Turbo S or Tesla. A Google Maps detour to a rural café was entered six minutes before the crash, a second phone was activated under the passenger seat 31 seconds before impact, and 17 minutes of Tesla dashcam footage from earlier are missing. A manual override was logged 0.8 seconds before the crash, with no fingerprints on the gearshift matching Jota. Jota’s mother, Isabel Silva, found a heartfelt letter and keepsakes on his desk two weeks later. The medical report’s findings now add a critical new dimension.

The Medical Report: 0.00 BAC and a Rare Stimulant

The medical report, obtained by the Guardia Civil and reported by El País, confirms Jota’s BAC was 0.00, ruling out alcohol as a factor in the crash. However, toxicology analysis revealed the presence of a rare stimulant in Jota’s bloodstream, a substance banned from legal sale in Portugal since 2016 due to its potential for abuse and adverse effects. The specific stimulant was not named in initial reports, but its prohibition aligns with Portugal’s drug policy reforms, which decriminalized personal use of all drugs in 2001 but maintained strict regulations on certain substances.

Since 2016, Portugal has restricted several stimulants, including synthetic cathinones (e.g., mephedrone) and certain amphetamine derivatives, due to their association with cardiovascular risks and impaired judgment. These substances, often sold as “legal highs” before bans, can cause heightened alertness, euphoria, and increased risk-taking, but also side effects like anxiety, heart palpitations, and reduced reaction times—potentially catastrophic for a driver operating a high-performance vehicle like the Huracán. The stimulant’s presence in Jota’s system, despite its illegality, suggests it was obtained through illicit channels or inadvertently consumed, possibly in a supplement or medication.

The absence of alcohol aligns with Jota’s known discipline as an athlete, but the stimulant’s presence raises questions about its source and impact. Jota’s recent lung surgery and recovery, overseen by physiotherapist Miguel Goncalves, may have involved medications, but no evidence suggests the stimulant was prescribed. Goncalves noted Jota was “excited” and “confident” about his recovery, with no mention of performance-enhancing or recreational drug use. The stimulant’s rarity and illegality since 2016 complicate the investigation, as it could point to deliberate use, accidental ingestion, or even contamination of a legal product.

Implications of the Stimulant

The stimulant’s presence could explain several anomalies in the crash timeline:

Manual Override (12:29:59.2 a.m.): The black box logged a manual override 0.8 seconds before impact, possibly disabling traction or stability control. The stimulant may have heightened Jota’s confidence or impaired his judgment, prompting a risky override during the tire blowout. The absence of Jota’s fingerprints on the gearshift, however, suggests André or an unknown factor may have been involved.

Gentle Braking (12:29:58.8 a.m.): The black box recorded gentle braking 1.2 seconds before impact, despite a 0.5 bar tire pressure drop 70 seconds earlier. The stimulant could have delayed Jota’s reaction time or led him to underestimate the severity of the TPMS warning, contributing to the inadequate response.

Google Maps Detour (12:24 a.m.): The detour to a rural café, entered six minutes before the crash, may reflect impulsive behavior influenced by the stimulant’s effects on decision-making. The stationary phone ping at 12:26 a.m. suggests a stop, possibly to address a vehicle issue or the stimulant’s effects, such as anxiety or palpitations.

Second Phone (12:29:29 a.m.): The second phone, activated 31 seconds before impact under the passenger seat, could indicate André attempting to call for help or check the vehicle’s status, possibly prompted by Jota’s behavior or a physical reaction to the stimulant.

The stimulant’s illegality since 2016 raises questions about its source. Portugal’s decriminalization policy, in place since 2001, allows personal use but not sale or distribution of banned substances. Jota, a high-profile athlete subject to regular doping tests, had no history of drug violations, making intentional use unlikely. Possible sources include:

Illicit Purchase: Jota or André may have obtained the stimulant through underground channels, though this seems inconsistent with Jota’s disciplined lifestyle.

Contaminated Supplement: Athletes often use supplements, some of which may be tainted with banned substances. A 2016 study noted that 10–15% of sports supplements can contain unlisted stimulants.

Medication Interaction: Jota’s lung surgery recovery may have involved medications that interacted unexpectedly, though no such stimulant is typically prescribed for pneumothorax recovery.

Timeline and Investigative Context

The medical report integrates into a tight timeline:

~12:13 a.m.: Tesla dashcam footage, from a vehicle Jota drove earlier, ends, 17 minutes before the crash.

12:24 a.m.: Jota enters a Google Maps detour to a rural café near Cernadilla.

12:26 a.m.: Jota’s primary phone, stationary, sends a WhatsApp message to Cardoso: “All is well.”

12:28:50 a.m.: The Huracán’s TPMS detects a 0.5 bar tire pressure drop, 70 seconds before impact.

12:29:29 a.m.: A second phone under the passenger seat is turned on, 31 seconds before impact.

12:29:58.8 a.m.: Black box logs gentle braking, 1.2 seconds before impact.

12:29:59.2 a.m.: Black box logs a manual override, 0.8 seconds before impact.

12:30 a.m.: The Huracán crashes and bursts into flames.

The stimulant may have influenced Jota’s actions, from the detour to the override, while the unmatched fingerprints suggest André or another factor played a role in the final moments. The missing Tesla footage, ending at 12:13 a.m., could have clarified Jota’s behavior or vehicle choices earlier, while the second phone’s activation hints at a last-minute action, possibly related to the stimulant’s effects or the TPMS warning.

Spanish police, citing 100-meter tire marks, believe Jota was driving at 160–200 km/h, exceeding the A-52’s 120 km/h limit. Witnesses José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo claimed a “moderate” speed, blaming the A-52’s potholes and uneven asphalt. Javier Lopez Delgado of ASEVI noted a prior crash at the same location, highlighting the road’s faults. The stimulant’s presence could reconcile these accounts, as heightened alertness might have led Jota to drive faster than perceived, while impaired judgment delayed his response to the blowout.

Investigative and Safety Implications

The Guardia Civil is now investigating the stimulant’s source, analyzing Jota’s medical records, recent purchases, and interactions. The second phone’s data, the Tesla footage recovery, and the café detour’s purpose are under scrutiny, as is the identity of the unmatched fingerprints on the gearshift. The Huracán’s recall history, including a 2024 crash protection issue, and the unaddressed ESC glitch suggest mechanical failures compounded by human factors, potentially exacerbated by the stimulant.

The findings have intensified calls for reform. The Huracán’s issues highlight the need for stricter supercar maintenance and clearer safety alerts. The A-52’s hazardous conditions demand urgent infrastructure upgrades. The stimulant’s presence raises concerns about athlete supplement safety, prompting calls for tighter regulations and testing. Portugal’s drug policy, while progressive, may need stronger enforcement against illicit stimulant distribution.

The Football World’s Grief

The football community continues to mourn, with tributes from Virgil van Dijk, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Arne Slot, who called Jota “a loved one to all.” Liverpool retired Jota’s number 20 shirt, and fans left flowers at Anfield and Gondomar’s Igreja Matriz, where the brothers’ funeral on July 5 drew thousands. Isabel Silva’s discovery of Jota’s letter and Rute Cardoso’s loss underscore the personal tragedy, amplified by these haunting new details.

Conclusion

The medical report revealing a rare stimulant in Diogo Jota’s bloodstream, despite a 0.00 BAC, adds a profound layer to the investigation of his and André Silva’s fatal crash. Combined with a manual override, missing Tesla footage, a Google Maps detour, a second phone, and mechanical failures, the stimulant suggests possible impaired judgment or heightened risk-taking in the final moments. As the Guardia Civil probes its source, the football world honors two champions, while advocates demand reforms to prevent such tragedies. Jota and Silva’s legacy endures, a testament to their love for family and football.