On the morning of July 3, 2025, the football world was plunged into mourning with the news of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota’s sudden death in a horrific car accident in Spain, alongside his younger brother Andre Silva. The 28-year-old forward, celebrated for his pivotal role in Liverpool’s recent Premier League triumph and Portugal’s Nations League victories, lost his life on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, when his Lamborghini Huracan veered off the road and burst into flames. What has added a layer of chilling coincidence to this tragedy is the revelation that the same stretch of road, at kilometer 65, was the site of a strikingly similar accident just one week prior. As of 10:13 AM +07 on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, this eerie parallel has sparked widespread discussion about road safety, the circumstances of Jota’s crash, and the haunting fate that struck this talented athlete and his brother.
Diogo Jota’s accident occurred in the early hours, around 12:30 AM local time, as he and Andre were traveling from Portugal to the port of Santander, intending to take a ferry back to England. Jota, who had recently undergone lung surgery, had been advised against flying, prompting the road trip. The Lamborghini, a high-performance vehicle valued at over £185,000, was reportedly speeding when it lost control, possibly due to a tire blowout, and collided with a central barrier before erupting in flames. Both brothers perished at the scene, leaving behind a devastated family, including Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, whom he married just 11 days earlier on June 22, and their three young children. The suddenness of the loss, coupled with Jota’s recent career highs—65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool and 14 goals in 49 caps for Portugal—has left fans and teammates reeling.
What has intensified the tragedy’s impact is the discovery that kilometer 65 on the A-52, a seemingly innocuous straight section of the Rías Bajas highway, had witnessed a nearly identical incident a week earlier, on June 26, 2025. Reports indicate that another vehicle, also traveling at high speed, veered off the same stretch, resulting in a serious crash that left a 60-year-old woman with severe injuries. Details of that earlier accident are sparse, but the similarity in location and the nature of the incidents—high-speed loss of control followed by severe consequences—has raised alarming questions. Both events occurred in the dead of night, under conditions that included limited visibility and a road surface described by locals as deteriorating, suggesting a pattern that cannot be ignored.
The A-52, a major route connecting northern Portugal to Spain’s northern ports and beyond to France, is known for its challenging conditions. Stretching over 300 kilometers, it traverses rugged terrain with sharp curves, frequent fog, and occasional wildlife crossings, such as Iberian wolves and deer, which pose sudden hazards. Despite its straight sections like kilometer 65 appearing deceptively safe, the road has earned a notorious reputation as a “black spot” for accidents. Data from recent years indicates thousands of speed-related violations, prompting occasional safety campaigns, yet the infrastructure’s maintenance appears inadequate. The coincidence of two major crashes within a week at the same spot has fueled speculation about whether poor road conditions, rather than just driver error, played a critical role.
Initial investigations by Spain’s Guardia Civil point to excessive speed as a primary factor in Jota’s crash. Authorities suggest the Lamborghini was traveling well above the 120 km/h limit, with tire marks and wreckage analysis indicating a loss of control possibly triggered by a blowout. However, this conclusion has been contested by eyewitnesses. A Portuguese driver, José Aleixo Duarte, who was on the road minutes before the accident, claimed Jota’s vehicle passed him at a moderate speed, contradicting the police’s preliminary findings. Another truck driver, José Azevedo, who captured early footage of the burning wreckage, echoed this sentiment, suggesting the road’s condition and sudden hazards might have contributed more than speed alone. These conflicting accounts have led to calls for a thorough investigation, with results pending a court review.
The timing of Jota’s journey adds another layer of poignancy. Having just celebrated his wedding and a successful season, he was en route to rejoin Liverpool for preseason training, a decision influenced by medical advice to avoid air travel post-surgery. This choice, intended as a precaution, tragically led to his demise on a road he might not have otherwise taken. The earlier accident involving the injured woman, though less publicized, followed a similar trajectory—speeding, loss of control, and a severe outcome—hinting at a systemic issue. Local residents have long complained about the A-52’s neglected state, with potholes and faded markings cited as recurring dangers, especially at night.
The football community’s response has been overwhelming. Liverpool halted its preseason preparations, with players like Andy Robertson and manager Arne Slot visiting Anfield to lay flowers at a makeshift memorial. The club issued a statement expressing profound sorrow, while Portugal’s football federation requested a minute’s silence before upcoming matches. Jota’s teammates, including Cristiano Ronaldo, paid tribute, with Ronaldo facing criticism for not attending the funeral, a decision his sister defended as a personal choice amid grief. The funeral, held on July 5 at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar—ironically the same church where Jota wed—drew thousands, including former teammates from Porto and Wolves, underscoring his widespread impact.
The parallel incidents have ignited a broader conversation about road safety in Spain. The A-52’s history of accidents, coupled with the recent double tragedy, has prompted calls for urgent infrastructure upgrades. Experts suggest that speed cameras, better lighting, and wildlife barriers could mitigate risks, especially on straight sections where drivers might overestimate safety. The Jota crash, occurring just days after the woman’s accident, serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fate can turn, particularly on roads with latent dangers. Some speculate that if the earlier incident had prompted immediate action, Jota’s outcome might have differed, though this remains a heartbreaking “what if.”
Jota’s legacy, marked by resilience despite frequent injuries, now carries an additional weight. His 2024-25 Premier League title with Liverpool and dual Nations League wins with Portugal showcased a career of determination, cut short at its peak. The loss of Andre Silva, a Penafiel player, compounds the family’s grief, with Rute Cardoso seen in a daze at the funeral, supported by relatives. The Lamborghini’s destruction—its green frame reduced to ashes—symbolizes the fragility of life, a theme that resonates as fans continue to mourn at Anfield.
As investigations continue, the focus shifts to accountability and prevention. Whether speed, a tire failure, or the road’s condition was the decisive factor, the coincidence of two crashes at kilometer 65 within a week underscores a need for scrutiny. For Jota’s fans, the tragedy is a personal blow; for the public, it’s a call to action. This stretch of the A-52, once a mere transit route, now stands as a somber monument to lost potential, urging a reevaluation of how we navigate the roads that connect our journeys.
