The soccer world continues to reel in shock and sorrow after the devastating news of Diogo Jota’s death, alongside his brother Andre Silva, in what has become one of the darkest days in recent soccer memory. In the early hours of July 3, 2025, Jota’s life—just 28 years old—was cut short under tragic circumstances in Zamora, Spain.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the globe, Spanish police have now released a detailed statement, finally shedding light on the cause of death of Liverpool’s forward.
Jota’s passing came just weeks after one of the greatest seasons of his career. The forward played a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph and was instrumental in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League victory just last month. He had also recently married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, in an intimate ceremony in Portugal.
But what should have been a period of celebration and new beginnings for the father of three was cruelly cut short.
The reason for the fatal crash in Zamora
Spanish authorities confirmed that Diogo and Andre were travelling in a Lamborghini in the province of Zamora around 00:30 local time when the vehicle suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another car. The vehicle veered off the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla and burst into flames, killing both occupants instantly.
“The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking,” said the Guardia Civil, as reported by the BBC. “The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.”
Identification and forensic efforts
With the vehicle completely engulfed in flames, identifying the victims posed a challenge. Authorities used a matching licence plate and personal documents retrieved from the wreckage to initially identify Jota and Andre. Forensic experts later conducted DNA tests and attempted to obtain fingerprints to legally confirm their identities.
“The autopsy was carried out at the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Zamora,” reported local Spanish media, confirming the severity of the fire and the need for advanced forensic methods.
Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, was informed later that day and offered psychological support. It was a relative who raised the alarm when the brothers failed to arrive at their planned stop in Benavente, prompting a search that confirmed the worst.
