Police confirm what caused Diogo Jota car crash on motorway that killed him and brother

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has tragically passed away after being involved in a fatal car crash with his brother in Spain, less than two weeks after his wedding day

Gerard Couzens News Correspondent, Maria Ortega and Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer

Diogo Jota: Liverpool star dies in car crash aged 28

Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota was killed in a car accident in northwest Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning, leaving the footballing world in shock. The Lamborghini he was travelling in with his brother Andre, who also died in the crash, spun off the road and caught fire.

One of the car’s tyre blew out while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 around 70 miles west of Valladolid, causing it to veer off the road. The incident occurred at around 12.40am.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which spread to surrounding vegetation, and collaborated with emergency services and the Civil Guard. Medical personnel confirmed the deaths of the two occupants of the vehicle shortly after arriving at the scene.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Zamora said: “The investigation into the crash is being carried out by Civil Guard traffic officers. We believe the car suffered a blowout from the marks on the road. The full police report once it is completed will be submitted to a duty court in Zamora which has launched an ongoing judicial investigation into this crash.

“That report is going to take time to complete, probably about four or five days but possibly longer. At this moment in time it is impossible to say at exactly what speed the car was going but that is something the Civil Guard investigators will be able to detail at least approximately in their final report from things like the skid marks. What I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no-one else was hurt.”

Jota, 28, had just married Rute Cardoso, the mother of his three children, and described himself as “the luckiest man in the world” to be her husband.

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Tributes have been flooding in following news of the tragedy. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher wrote on social media: “Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute & their three kids.”

Diogo Jota tied the knot with Rute Cardoso last month(Image: Instagram/rutecfcardoso14)

Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand posted: “Absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to Diogo Jota, Andre Silva, their family & friends!”

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Ruben Neves, who played with Jota at Wolves and with the Portugal national side, said: “They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”

Liverpool also released a heartfelt statement, which read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.

“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”

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Jota won the Premier League with Liverpool last season(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The Portuguese Football Federation wrote: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, this morning, in Spain.

“Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all colleagues and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference in his own community. The Portuguese Football Federation expresses its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players respectively played.

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“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”

Jota scored 65 times for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals. He lifted the Premier League title with the team last season, and won the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022.

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He joined the Reds from Wolves in 2020 in a £45million deal. He also played for Atletico Madrid, Porto and Pacos de Ferreira. On the international stage, he earned 49 caps for Portugal, scoring 14 goals.

Jota’s brother Andre Silva was also a footballer, who played for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel at the time of his death.