On July 3, 2025, the football world was plunged into mourning following the tragic deaths of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, in a devastating car crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora. The 28-year-old Portuguese star, known for his pivotal role in Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League triumph, and his 26-year-old brother, a player for Penafiel, were killed when their Lamborghini Huracán veered off the road and burst into flames. Initial reports from Spanish authorities suggested excessive speed as a likely cause, a narrative that has dominated headlines and public discourse. However, a startling disclosure from Jota’s medical team has cast doubt on this conclusion, revealing a detail that had been overlooked amid the chaos: Jota had recently undergone lung surgery and was in recovery, with his physiotherapist insisting he was a cautious driver who would not have sped in his condition on that fateful night.
The revelation came from Miguel Goncalves, Jota’s respiratory physiotherapist, who worked closely with the striker in the days leading up to the crash. Goncalves disclosed that Jota had suffered a pneumothorax—a collapsed lung—during a match against Chelsea in October 2024, an injury he bravely played through for much of the season. The condition necessitated surgery, which Jota delayed until after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Spain earlier that month. By early July, he was in the final stages of recovery, adhering strictly to a rehabilitation plan designed to prepare him for Liverpool’s pre-season training. “He made an extraordinary recovery,” Goncalves told Portuguese media, “and was practically flawless. When I left him on July 2, he was no longer in pain, excited about the next season, and very aware of his professionalism.” Crucially, Goncalves added, “He was cautious, especially in his state. There’s no way he would have been speeding that night.”
This statement directly contradicts the Guardia Civil’s preliminary findings, which pointed to excessive speed as a key factor. Investigators cited 100-meter skid marks and the severity of the crash—where the Lamborghini collided with a barrier before igniting—as evidence that Jota, presumed to be driving, was traveling well above the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit. However, the medical team’s insight suggests an alternative narrative: Jota’s recent surgery and ongoing recovery likely made him more mindful of his health, influencing his driving behavior. Medical advice had also prohibited him from flying, prompting the brothers to drive from Portugal to Santander to catch a ferry to England. This long journey, planned with an overnight stop, was intended to accommodate his recovery, further supporting the claim of caution.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time, as the brothers traveled through northern Spain. An eyewitness, whose account emerged shortly after, corroborated the medical team’s perspective to some extent. The witness described hearing a “very loud explosion” and seeing an object—likely a tire fragment—shoot out from the vehicle before it swerved and hit the barrier. “He wasn’t speeding,” the witness insisted, aligning with Goncalves’ assertion. This raises the possibility that a tire blowout, rather than reckless driving, triggered the loss of control. The Lamborghini’s low-profile, high-performance tires are prone to such failures if compromised by defects or road hazards, a factor that could explain the sudden escalation without requiring excessive speed.
The medical team’s revelation adds a layer of complexity to the investigation, challenging the establishment narrative that has leaned heavily on speed. Jota’s decision to drive rather than fly was a direct result of his lung condition, which could have worsened under the pressure changes of air travel. Goncalves noted that Jota had planned an eight-hour trip with a rest stop in Burgos, reflecting a deliberate pace suited to his recovery. This contrasts sharply with the image of a high-speed chase implied by police reports. Automotive experts suggest that a tire blowout in a supercar like the Huracán can cause a crash even at moderate speeds, especially if the driver is unaccustomed to such an event. Jota’s cautious nature, as described by his physiotherapist, makes it plausible that he was driving within limits when the failure occurred.
The oversight of Jota’s medical history in initial reports is striking. Media coverage focused on his wedding just 11 days prior and the emotional tributes from fans and figures like Cristiano Ronaldo and Jurgen Klopp, overshadowing the health context. Liverpool fans gathered outside Anfield, leaving flowers and scarves, while the funeral in Gondomar drew hundreds, including teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Yet, the critical detail of his recent surgery—confirmed by multiple sources, including CNN Portugal and local physiotherapists—went largely unaddressed until Goncalves’ statement. This omission raises questions about whether authorities rushed to a speed-based conclusion to avoid probing deeper into mechanical or manufacturer-related issues.
Spanish police have not yet released a comprehensive report, but the focus on skid marks and overtaking maneuvers suggests a bias toward driver error. The A-52 is not a known accident black spot, and weather conditions were clear, undermining arguments for external factors like road conditions. If a tire blowout is substantiated, liability could shift to the vehicle’s maintenance or Lamborghini’s design, a scenario that might explain the reluctance to explore alternatives. The medical team’s insistence on Jota’s caution, combined with the eyewitness account, demands a reevaluation of the evidence, including forensic analysis of the tire remnants and the car’s black box data, which could reveal speed and braking patterns.
Jota’s death has reverberated beyond football, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales expressing condolences. His legacy as a 49-cap Portugal international and a key Liverpool scorer (47 goals in 123 games) is secure, but the circumstances of his passing remain contentious. The tragedy’s timing—shortly after becoming a father of three and marrying Rute Cardoso—amplifies the sense of loss. André’s death, as a promising midfielder, compounds the family’s grief, with Penafiel FC declaring official mourning.
Critics argue that the speed narrative may serve as a convenient scapegoat, deflecting from potential negligence in vehicle safety. Tire blowouts are rare but documented causes of accidents, and the Huracán’s engineering, while advanced, is not immune to flaws. The medical team’s shock revelation—that Jota’s condition and professionalism precluded reckless driving—urges a broader investigation. If confirmed, it could reshape public perception and legal outcomes, honoring Jota’s memory with a truthful accounting rather than a rushed judgment.
As the Guardia Civil prepares its report for the Puebla de Sanabria court, the football community awaits clarity. Goncalves’ words linger: “He was excited, confident, and careful.” The final moments, marked by an explosion and a swerve, may reflect not a driver’s error but a mechanical failure that caught even a cautious Jota off guard. This overlooked truth demands attention, ensuring that the investigation prioritizes evidence over assumptions and delivers justice for a star whose life ended too soon.
