60-Second CCTV Footage REVEALS: Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Veered Just Inches from a Hidden Road Dip Moments Before Explosion
The football world remains in deep mourning following the tragic car accident on July 3, 2025, that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother André Silva, 26, on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Spain. The catastrophic crash, which occurred at 12:30 AM, saw their £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder veer off the road, roll, and burst into flames after a suspected tire blowout. Now, newly surfaced 60-second CCTV footage from a nearby toll booth, obtained by The Sun, reveals a critical detail investigators nearly overlooked: just moments before the explosion, Jota’s car veered inches from a hidden road dip, a notorious hazard on a stretch known as one of Spain’s most dangerous. This revelation, echoing the 2019 crash that killed José Antonio Reyes, raises urgent questions about road safety and the true cause of this heartbreaking tragedy.
The CCTV Footage: A Critical Clue
The 60-second CCTV clip, captured by a toll booth camera on the A-52, provides a haunting glimpse into the moments leading up to the crash. According to The Sun, the footage shows the acid-green Lamborghini navigating a curve at high speed, overtaking a slower vehicle. Just seconds before the crash, the car veers slightly to the right, narrowly avoiding a deep, unmarked dip in the road surface. The vehicle then jolts, loses control, swerves left, and collides with the central reservation, rolling multiple times before erupting into a fireball. The surrounding vegetation also caught fire, complicating rescue efforts, as reported by The Daily Mail.
This hidden dip, described by locals as a “real danger” on the A-52, was nearly missed by investigators, who initially focused on the tire blowout as the primary cause. The footage suggests that the dip may have destabilized the Lamborghini, placing sudden stress on the tire during the high-speed maneuver, leading to the catastrophic failure. The A-52, a key route from northern Portugal to Santander, is notorious for its poor conditions, including potholes, uneven surfaces, and inadequate lighting, with nearly 15,000 speeding fines issued in 2020 alone, per La Opinión de Zamora.
Parallels with José Antonio Reyes’ Tragedy
The circumstances of Jota’s crash bear eerie similarities to the 2019 accident that claimed the life of José Antonio Reyes on the A-376 highway near Alcalá de Guadaira, Spain. Reyes, 35, and his cousin died when their Mercedes Brabus S550, traveling at 187 km/h, suffered a tire blowout, overturned, and caught fire. Investigations, as reported by Thanh Niên, pinpointed a poorly repaired tire as the cause, exacerbated by excessive speed. Like Jota’s crash, road conditions were a contributing factor, with the A-376 also known for its hazards.
In Jota’s case, the CCTV footage highlights the role of the A-52’s hidden dip, which locals have long criticized as a maintenance oversight. The dip’s impact on the Lamborghini’s stability mirrors how a faulty tire repair triggered Reyes’ crash, raising questions about whether better road upkeep could have prevented both tragedies. Spanish authorities are now scrutinizing the A-52’s condition, with forensic teams analyzing the wreckage and road surface to determine if the dip was the critical trigger for the blowout.
A Heartbreaking Backstory
The tragedy’s emotional weight is amplified by its timing. Jota, a key player in Liverpool’s 2024-25 Premier League title win, had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, on June 22, 2025, in Porto. The couple, parents to three children—Denis, Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024—shared wedding photos on Instagram, with Jota captioning them, “A day we will never forget.” He was driving to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK for Liverpool’s pre-season training, advised against flying due to recent lung surgery following a rib injury against Chelsea in October 2024, per The Telegraph. André, a midfielder for FC Penafiel, was accompanying him on the 190-mile journey.
The CCTV footage underscores the cruel irony: a medical precaution led Jota to a road notorious for its dangers. His physiotherapist, quoted by The Daily Mail, clarified that Jota was not “partying” before the crash, dispelling rumors and emphasizing his commitment to returning to training.
The Football Community’s Grief
The loss of Jota and André has devastated the football world. Liverpool FC stated, “We are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André. We will provide full support to their family.” Fans have gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers, scarves, and jerseys, with the club’s flag lowered to half-mast. A popular chant for Jota, “one of the best songs the Kop has ever sung,” was echoed in tributes, per BBC Sport.
Tributes have come from across the globe. Cristiano Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota in Portugal’s Nations League win on June 8, wrote on X, “Doesn’t make sense. We were just together. Rest in peace.” Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota from Wolves, posted on Instagram, “This is a moment where I struggle! I’m heartbroken.” UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin noted, “Just three weeks ago, I presented Diogo with a medal. His joy was infectious.” A minute’s silence was held at the UEFA Women’s Euros match between Portugal and Spain, and further tributes are planned at the Club World Cup.
A Call for Road Safety Reform
The CCTV footage has intensified scrutiny of the A-52’s condition. GiveMeSport and The Daily Mail report that drivers rank it among Spain’s worst roads due to its rugged terrain, frequent fog, and lack of safety barriers. The hidden dip, now a focal point, has sparked outrage among locals, who argue that better maintenance could have saved lives. Advocacy groups are calling for urgent repairs and stricter regulations on high-performance vehicles, citing the risks of high-speed driving on poorly maintained roads.
The investigation, led by the Guardia Civil, is examining the Lamborghini’s tires, the road’s condition, and the role of speed, with a Spanish government source noting a “possible speeding incident.” The CCTV footage, nearly overlooked, has shifted focus to the dip as a potential catalyst, prompting calls for accountability.
A Lasting Legacy
Diogo Jota’s career was marked by brilliance, with 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, including a decisive strike against Everton in April 2025. André, a rising star at FC Penafiel, was admired for his passion. Their deaths, captured in the stark clarity of the CCTV footage, highlight the fragility of life. Rute Cardoso and her children face an unimaginable loss, with fundraising efforts underway to support them.
The revelation that a hidden dip may have triggered this tragedy demands action to prevent future losses. As the football community mourns, Jota and André’s legacies will endure through their contributions and the love they inspired. Rest in peace.
