EXCLUSIVE: Diogo Jota’s Mother Discovers Final Diary Entry Written Days Before Crash — It Reads “They’re Watching Me Again — I Must Choose Between Silence or Goodbye”
The tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, in a fiery car crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway has taken a dramatic turn with a new, unverified claim: Jota’s mother, Isabel Silva, reportedly discovered a diary entry written by her son days before the accident. The entry, allegedly penned in late June 2025, contains the cryptic message, “They’re watching me again — I must choose between silence or goodbye.” This revelation, if true, raises chilling questions about Jota’s state of mind, potential external pressures, or even foul play in the lead-up to the crash that claimed the lives of the two brothers. This report explores the claim, its implications, and the broader context of the ongoing investigation, while addressing the lack of official confirmation and the prevalence of misinformation surrounding the case.
The Alleged Diary Entry: A Cryptic Message
According to unverified reports circulating on social media and fringe news sites, Isabel Silva found a diary among Jota’s personal belongings returned to the family after the crash. The diary, purportedly written in Jota’s handwriting, contained a final entry dated days before the July 3 accident, stating, “They’re watching me again — I must choose between silence or goodbye.” The ambiguous phrasing has sparked widespread speculation about its meaning. Was Jota referring to a sense of being monitored, possibly by individuals or entities unknown? Did the mention of “silence or goodbye” reflect a personal dilemma, a fear for his safety, or an emotional farewell tied to his recent life events, such as his wedding to Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025?
No credible evidence has surfaced to confirm the existence of this diary entry. Major outlets like BBC, The Guardian, and CNN, which have covered the crash extensively, make no mention of a diary or this specific claim. Searches on X reveal posts amplifying the story, but they originate from unverified accounts and lack primary sources. The absence of official statements from Isabel Silva, the family, or the Spanish Guardia Civil investigating the crash casts doubt on the report’s authenticity. Given the emotional weight of Jota’s death, such claims risk fueling misinformation, as seen with previous unverified stories, including a debunked video of the crash and an alleged phone discovery by Cardoso.
Context of the Crash: What We Know
The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, near Palacios de Sanabria in Zamora, Spain. Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, were traveling in a green Lamborghini Huracán, en route to Santander to catch a ferry to England for Jota’s Liverpool pre-season training. Portuguese media reported that Jota, who had undergone minor lung surgery for a pneumothorax, was advised against flying, prompting the road trip. The car suffered a suspected tire blowout while overtaking, veered off the A-52, and burst into flames after striking the central reservation. Tire marks stretching 27 meters suggest a sharp right turn, which experts attribute to either a deliberate maneuver or a panic response. Spanish police have pointed to excessive speed as a factor, though eyewitnesses, including two Portuguese lorry drivers, claim the car was not speeding and cite the A-52’s poor condition as a contributor.
Previous unverified claims, such as CCTV footage showing flickering lights and a phone found powered on 17 days post-crash, have added intrigue but lack substantiation. The diary entry claim follows this pattern, with its provocative wording suggesting paranoia or external threats. Without forensic verification, it remains speculative, but the narrative aligns with public fascination over Jota’s high-profile status and the crash’s tragic timing, just 11 days after his wedding.
Interpreting the Diary Entry: Theories and Speculation
If authentic, the diary entry—“They’re watching me again — I must choose between silence or goodbye”—could have multiple interpretations. The phrase “they’re watching me again” implies a recurring sense of surveillance or pressure. Jota, as a prominent athlete with a £34.4 million fortune and a public persona, may have faced scrutiny from media, fans, or business associates. The reference to “silence or goodbye” could suggest a personal conflict, such as pressure to keep quiet about an issue or a decision to withdraw from a situation, possibly related to his career, health, or personal life. Alternatively, it could reflect emotional distress following his surgery or the responsibilities of his new marriage and fatherhood to three young children, Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda.
The most sensational interpretation is that Jota feared for his safety, potentially linking to theories of sabotage raised by earlier claims of flickering car lights. Engine experts previously suggested that such flickering could indicate electrical tampering, though no evidence supports this. Similarly, the diary entry could fuel speculation of foul play, but without corroboration, this remains a leap. A more grounded explanation might tie the entry to Jota’s recovery from his pneumothorax, which required careful management. His physiotherapist, Miguel Goncalves, noted that Jota was cautious about his health, planning to stop at a hotel in Burgos during the journey to rest, indicating a focus on safety rather than fear.
The Role of Isabel Silva and Family Grief
Isabel Silva, Jota’s mother, and her husband Joaquim Silva, a former lower-league footballer, have been thrust into the spotlight by this claim. The couple attended the brothers’ wake and funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 4 and 5, 2025, where they were visibly devastated. Photos showed Isabel being consoled by family as she mourned her only children. The alleged discovery of a diary by Isabel adds an emotional layer to the family’s loss, suggesting she uncovered a private glimpse into Jota’s final days. However, no reports confirm Isabel has spoken publicly about this finding, and the family’s request for privacy, echoed by Liverpool FC, suggests they are unlikely to fuel such speculation.
The funeral at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, where Jota married Rute Cardoso just weeks earlier, drew thousands, including Liverpool players like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who carried floral tributes, and Portugal teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. The Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, addressed the family’s pain, particularly for Jota’s children and parents, underscoring the “torment” of losing two sons. The claim of a diary entry, if unverified, risks exacerbating the family’s grief by inviting public scrutiny into a private moment.
Investigation and Misinformation Challenges
The Guardia Civil’s investigation remains focused on forensic evidence: the tire blowout, 27-meter skid marks, and potential speeding. Their preliminary findings suggest Jota was driving and exceeding the 120 km/h speed limit, though the road’s condition—described as “terrible” by witnesses—remains a point of contention. The final report, to be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria, will clarify these factors but has not addressed claims of a diary, phone, or CCTV footage, suggesting these may be outside the current scope or unverified.
Misinformation has plagued the case, with debunked videos and unconfirmed reports—like the alleged phone found by Cardoso with a video titled “If Something Happens to Me”—amplifying speculation. The diary entry claim follows this trend, with its dramatic wording echoing conspiracy theories but lacking substantiation. Fact-checking organizations like Full Fact have warned about miscaptioned content, and the absence of credible sources for this story underscores the need for caution.
Implications and the Football Community’s Response
The alleged diary entry has reignited debate about Jota’s crash, with fans on X speculating about everything from sabotage to personal struggles. Hashtags like #JotaForever and #RIPJota continue to trend, reflecting the global outpouring of grief for Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances and won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Nations League. Tributes from Jürgen Klopp, Arne Slot, and Cristiano Ronaldo emphasize Jota’s humility and infectious joy, while Liverpool’s decision to delay pre-season training and consider retiring his number 20 shirt reflects his impact.
If the diary entry exists, it could prompt investigators to explore Jota’s mental state or external pressures, though no evidence currently suggests foul play. More likely, the entry—if real—reflects a personal moment, possibly tied to his health or family milestones. The football community, including Portugal’s national team and fans at Anfield, continues to focus on honoring Jota and Silva, with moments of silence held at matches like the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
Conclusion: Awaiting Verification
The claim that Isabel Silva discovered a diary entry by Diogo Jota stating, “They’re watching me again — I must choose between silence or goodbye,” adds a provocative twist to an already tragic story. However, without official confirmation or credible evidence, it remains unverified and risks being another piece of misinformation in a case rife with speculation. The Guardia Civil’s investigation, focusing on mechanical and environmental factors, offers the most reliable path to understanding the crash. As Jota’s family, including Rute Cardoso and their three children, navigates profound loss, the public is urged to respect their privacy and await verified findings. The diary entry, if authentic, could provide a poignant glimpse into Jota’s final days, but for now, it remains a haunting, unconfirmed fragment of a heartbreaking narrative.
