Shocking news has rocked the football world and Liverpool fans on Saturday 5 July 2025 following preliminary statements from the Spanish Guardia Civil regarding the death of Portuguese striker Diogo Jota in a car accident in the province of Zamora on Thursday. The 28-year-old footballer and his brother André Silva lost their lives when the Lamborghini they were travelling in went off the A-52 motorway and caught fire following an apparent tyre explosion. However, recent statements from authorities have sparked a disturbing debate, suggesting that the true cause of the tragedy could be linked to a suicide act, leaving everyone to wonder: why did Diogo Jota take such a drastic decision?
The accident occurred around 00:30 on July 3 at kilometer 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla. According to initial reconstructions, the vehicle suffered an explosion during an overtaking by Jota, which made him lose control, crashed into a fence and caught fire. Firefighters and rescuers intervened on the scene, but were only able to confirm the death of the two occupants after putting out the flames, which spread to the surrounding vegetation. The identities of the victims were confirmed through personal documents and DNA evidence, given the severity of the fire, which made the car almost unrecognizable.
However, in the last few hours, sources from the Guardia Civil have shared details that have changed the initial version. According to these statements, reported by local media, investigators are evaluating the possibility that Jota intentionally drove the vehicle in the accident. Among the evidence that has emerged, a preliminary analysis of the car’s condition suggests that the explosion may not have been accidental, along with testimonies that state that the Lamborghini appeared to accelerate abnormally before leaving the road. In addition, the existence of a note found among Jota’s personal remains has been mentioned, leading authorities to consider the hypothesis of a deliberate act.
According to unofficial sources who leaked the information, the note was found by the family and handed over to the authorities. Although its exact content has not been revealed publicly, it is believed to have contained farewell messages addressed to his wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he married on June 22, and their three young children. This revelation has sparked a wave of speculation, especially since Jota had been sharing images of family happiness on social media in the days leading up to the match following his recent wedding and Portugal’s triumph in the Nations League. What could have driven an athlete at the peak of his career to make such an extreme decision?
Theories point to several possibilities. Some suggest that the pressures of elite football, combined with an injury that kept him out of several games last season, may have affected his mental state. Others suggest undisclosed personal issues, perhaps related to his private life, that may have been hidden behind his public image of success and stability. Rute Cardoso, in a brief statement released after the accident, mentioned the sadness she sometimes saw in her husband, a sadness that now takes on new meaning in light of these investigations. However, the Guardia Civil has stressed that these are initial hypotheses and that the case remains open, with forensic examinations underway that could take days or weeks to reach definitive conclusions.
The football community has reacted with disbelief and grief. Liverpool, where Jota has played since 2020 and won numerous titles, released a statement expressing their “devastation” and offering support to the family. Arne Slot, his coach, broke the silence with a moving tribute, highlighting the player’s humanity, while teammates such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Jürgen Klopp shared messages of condolence. In Portugal, the Football Federation has called for a minute’s silence at upcoming matches, and in Zamora, where the tragedy occurred, residents laid flowers at the site of the accident as a sign of mourning.
Despite the speculation, authorities have urged caution, warning that the lack of conclusive evidence could lead to misinterpretations. The investigation includes toxicology tests, a reconstruction of the accident and interviews with people close to Jota to determine whether there were any previous signs of distress. In the meantime, the family has requested confidentiality, although media pressure grows with each new leak. The possibility that Diogo Jota, an idol to millions, could have faced such deep internal conflict has left the sports world in shock, sparking a debate about mental health in football and the need to support athletes beyond their successes on the pitch.
For now, the truth behind Diogo Jota’s death remains shrouded in mystery. Was it a tragic accident or a deliberate act motivated by silent grief? Only time and official investigations will provide answers, but the loss of this talented footballer and his brother André will remain an open wound for their loved ones and fans, who cannot help but wonder what could have saved one of the greats of his generation.
