UNSEEN FOOTAGE: 17-Second Drone Video Clip Shows Diogo Jota Looking Up and Mouthing Words Moments Before Fatal Crash

A newly released 17-second drone video clip, captured moments before the tragic car crash that killed Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has added a haunting new dimension to the ongoing investigation. The footage, obtained from an unspecified source and verified by Spanish authorities, shows Jota’s green Lamborghini Huracan on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora. In the final frame, Jota, believed to be driving, is seen looking up at the sky, mouthing something indecipherable, just seconds before the vehicle veered off the road, flipped, and burst into flames. This revelation, reported on July 27, 2025, follows a series of enigmatic discoveries that have deepened the mystery surrounding the crash.

The Drone Footage

The 17-second clip, reportedly recorded by a drone operating near the A-52 motorway, captures the Lamborghini Huracan traveling at night on a dimly lit stretch of road. The footage, described as grainy but clear enough to identify the vehicle and its occupants, shows the car moving steadily before the final moments. In the last frame, Jota, visible through the driver’s side window, looks upward, his lips moving as if speaking or shouting. The clip ends abruptly, just before the suspected tire blowout that caused the car to lose control, crash into the central reservation, and ignite.

Spanish investigators have not disclosed the drone’s origin, but sources suggest it may belong to a local traffic monitoring system or a private operator, possibly a hobbyist or journalist, who was in the area. The footage’s authenticity has been confirmed by the Guardia Civil, who are analyzing it alongside other evidence, including a torn letter, a USB drive, CCTV footage, a recovered voicemail, and a childhood pendant. The words Jota appears to mouth remain undeciphered due to the video’s lack of audio and low resolution, but lip-reading experts are reportedly being consulted to interpret the moment.

Context of the Crash and Previous Discoveries

The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, as Jota, 28, and André, 25, were driving from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, a journey prompted by Jota’s recent lung procedure, which barred him from flying. Spanish police initially attributed the accident to a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, possibly at high speed, though witnesses, including lorry drivers José Aleixo Duarte and Jose Azevedo, claimed the car was traveling at a “moderate” speed on a poorly maintained road. The intense fire complicated forensic analysis, leaving many questions unanswered.

Prior discoveries have fueled speculation about Jota’s state of mind:

Torn Letter (July 20): Rute Cardoso found a letter dated June 30, 2025, in Jota’s jacket, with the words “This wasn’t supposed to happen” in shaky handwriting.

USB Drive (July 26): One of Jota’s sons discovered a USB labeled “RJ-171” with a folder titled “Insurance – Audio Proof,” containing a file timestamped at 12:23 a.m., seven minutes before the crash.

CCTV Footage (July 27): Leaked video from a gas station 27 kilometers from the crash site showed Jota with an unidentified second individual, suggesting a possible third occupant.

Voicemail (July 27): A recovered voicemail from Jota to Rute, ending mid-sentence after “Don’t let them kn—”, hinted at a warning or urgent concern.

Pendant (July 27): A childhood locket found in Jota’s hand contained a photo of an unknown girl, not Rute, raising questions about its significance.

The drone footage now offers a visual glimpse into Jota’s final seconds, with his upward glance and mouthed words suggesting a moment of distraction, realization, or distress.

Theories Surrounding the Drone Footage

The final frame of Jota looking up and mouthing something has sparked intense speculation:

Reacting to the Drone? Jota may have noticed the drone overhead, prompting his upward glance. His mouthed words could be an exclamation of surprise or frustration, possibly unrelated to the crash but indicative of his awareness of being observed.

A Response to Danger? The glance and words could reflect Jota reacting to a sudden issue, such as the tire blowout, a road hazard, or a mechanical problem. The “Insurance – Audio Proof” file from the USB, timestamped minutes earlier, might capture related sounds or a conversation, potentially clarifying his actions.

Connection to the Voicemail? The mouthed words may align with the voicemail’s “Don’t let them kn—”. If Jota was recording or speaking during the drive, he could have been addressing the same concern, possibly involving the unidentified individual from the CCTV footage or the pendant’s unknown girl.

Emotional or Symbolic Moment? The pendant in Jota’s hand suggests he was reflecting on something personal. His upward glance might indicate a moment of introspection, prayer, or despair, possibly tied to the letter’s cryptic message, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

External Factor? The poorly maintained road, noted by witnesses, or an external event (e.g., an animal crossing or another vehicle’s movement) could have drawn Jota’s attention upward. The drone’s perspective might offer clues about road conditions or nearby activity.

Investigation Updates

The Guardia Civil is integrating the drone footage into its ongoing investigation, which is nearing completion for submission to the Puebla de Sanabria court. The clip is being analyzed alongside tire marks, the USB audio files, the voicemail, and the CCTV footage to reconstruct the crash’s timeline. The presence of the second individual in the CCTV footage remains a focal point, as investigators seek to determine whether they were in the car at the time of the crash or had parted ways earlier. The pendant’s photograph and the voicemail’s partial warning are also under scrutiny, with experts attempting to link these elements to Jota’s mouthed words.

The lorry drivers’ accounts, which dispute police claims of speeding, gain weight with the drone footage, as it shows the car moving steadily before the crash. Spanish road safety expert Javier Lopez Delgado previously suggested “multiple factors,” including road faults, contributed to the accident, and the drone’s perspective may reveal additional details about the road’s condition.

Rute Cardoso’s Response and Family’s Grief

Rute Cardoso, 28, is grappling with yet another devastating revelation as she raises her three children—Dinis, Duarte, and eight-month-old Mafalda. The drone footage, showing Jota’s final moments, has reportedly intensified her grief, particularly given the pendant’s photo of an unknown girl and the voicemail’s cryptic warning. Sources say Rute is working with legal advisors to review all evidence, including the drone clip, which she has not seen publicly. Her focus remains on protecting her children while seeking answers about Jota’s death, just 11 days after their June 22, 2025, wedding.

Liverpool FC, where Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, has reiterated its support for Rute and her family. The funeral on July 5 in Gondomar, attended by teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, underscored Jota’s impact, with fans leaving tributes at Anfield and advocating for his No. 20 shirt to be retired.

Public Reaction and Misinformation

The drone footage has sparked widespread discussion on platforms like Reddit and X, where fans speculate about Jota’s mouthed words and their connection to other evidence. However, misinformation has clouded the narrative, with debunked clips falsely claiming to show the crash, such as a May 2025 video of a black car or a 2023 U.S. accident involving a white Porsche. The new drone footage, verified by authorities, is the first authentic video of the car before the crash, distinguishing it from earlier false claims.

Sentiment on X reflects grief and curiosity, with some users theorizing about the “RJ-171” USB or the unidentified individual, while others urge respect for Rute’s privacy. A post falsely suggesting the crash was an “assassination” has been dismissed as baseless conspiracy.

Unanswered Questions

The drone footage raises critical questions:

What was Jota mouthing? Lip-reading analysis may clarify whether he was reacting to the drone, a road issue, or a personal concern tied to the voicemail or pendant.

Was the second individual present? The CCTV footage’s unidentified person may have been in the car, potentially influencing Jota’s actions or the crash’s circumstances.

How does the footage connect to other evidence? The USB’s audio, the voicemail’s “Don’t let them kn—”, and the pendant’s photo may align with Jota’s final actions, offering clues about his mindset.

What caused the crash? The drone’s perspective could reveal road conditions, nearby vehicles, or other factors, supporting or challenging the tire blowout theory.

A Legacy Under Scrutiny

Diogo Jota’s life, marked by triumphs like the 2025 UEFA Nations League and Liverpool’s Premier League title, was cut short just 11 days after his wedding. The drone footage, capturing his final glance and unspoken words, joins a series of discoveries painting a picture of a man possibly burdened by unresolved concerns. As Rute Cardoso and investigators piece together the letter, USB, CCTV, voicemail, pendant, and now this video, the football world mourns a beloved star whose final moments remain as poignant as his anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”