Spanish police have confirmed that Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota was driving when he and his younger brother, André Silva, died in a car crash last week. The tragic accident occurred late Thursday night in Zamora, Spain, when their £180,000 acid-green Lamborghini reportedly suffered a tire blowout and burst into flames.
A spokesperson for the Guardia Civil in Zamora stated that initial investigations by the traffic division indicate Jota was behind the wheel. Early findings also suggest the car was travelling significantly above the 120 kmph (74 mph) speed limit on the A-52 motorway. Skid marks and other physical evidence, including tread patterns from the wheels, are being analyzed as part of the final report, which will be submitted to the court in Puebla de Sanabria.
The fatal crash occurred at approximately 12.40am near the town of Palacios de Sanabria. Both Jota and Silva were pronounced dead at the scene. The severity of the impact and subsequent fire left debris and charred wreckage strewn across the road, highlighting the violence of the crash.
Jota, 28, had only recently married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before the incident. He was a father of three and had enjoyed a highly successful spell with Liverpool since joining in 2020, scoring 47 goals in 79 starts and playing a key role in the club’s Premier League-winning 2024–25 campaign. His younger brother, André Silva, 26, was also a professional footballer.
On Saturday, family, friends, teammates, and fans came together in Gondomar, near Porto, for a joint funeral service held in the same church where Jota had been married. The emotional farewell saw tearful tributes from high-profile figures across the football world, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, Portugal teammate João Cancelo, and manager Arne Slot. Members of Liverpool FC, as well as representatives from other clubs and international federations, also paid their respects.
Slot called Jota’s death a devastating loss for the club and described him as the embodiment of the Liverpool spirit: hardworking, committed, and immensely talented. “Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us,” he said. “The sense of shock is absolute.”
Tributes extended beyond football, with messages of condolence from global figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and the rock band Oasis, who projected Jota’s image during a concert in Cardiff. Portuguese tennis players even wore black ribbons during Wimbledon in his memory.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, though Spanish authorities have indicated speed and a tire malfunction as likely contributing factors. The final report is expected to provide further clarity in the coming days.
