Speeding Likely Behind Crash That Killed Liverpool Star Diogo Jota, Spanish Police Say

Spanish authorities have concluded that excessive speed was the likely cause of the devastating car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, on July 3 in northwestern Spain.

The Civil Guard’s preliminary investigation cited skid marks at the scene near Zamora as indicators of “possible excessive speed beyond the road’s speed limit.” Law enforcement confirmed that Jota, 28, was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Initially, authorities had speculated that a tyre blowout during an overtaking attempt may have led to the fiery wreck. However, subsequent forensic evidence has shifted focus toward speeding as the primary factor.

The fatal crash occurred just days after Jota shared a heartwarming video from his wedding to long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children together. His brother, André, 26, who was also a professional footballer, was in the car with him when the vehicle veered off the road and burst into flames.

Jota’s sudden death has sent shockwaves throughout the football community and beyond. The Portuguese international had a remarkable career that began at Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016.

He later played on loan at FC Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, eventually signing permanently with Wolves. His standout performances earned him a transfer to Liverpool in 2020, where he quickly became a fan favorite.

Internationally, Jota represented Portugal across various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2019. He was part of Portugal’s squads for the 2022 and 2024 UEFA European Championships and helped the team secure UEFA Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025.

Tributes continue to pour in from teammates, fans, and football associations around the world as investigations proceed and the football world mourns the loss of a talented star and a devoted family man.