Portuguese authorities are working to determine if the fatal crash that killed Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota – and his brother – was caused by a blown tyre, speed, or a combination of both.
The 28-year-old, who had only been married two weeks ago, is being mourned across the globe after the fatal crash in Spain鈥檚 western region near the city of Zamora just after midnight on Thursday local time.
In a tragic twist, Jota was reportedly driving back to the UK instead of flying because he had recently undergone lung surgery, and doctors had advised him not to fly.
It has been reported he had been on his way to the port city of Santander to take a ferry to England.
A grassed median strip remains charred where the Lamborghini – worth as much as $350,000 – carrying Jota and his brother Andr茅 Silva crashed after overtaking another vehicle. Silva was also a professional footballer.
Crash investigators are also yet to establish who was driving and at what speed the sports car was travelling.
The Spanish Civil Guard said investigators were working on the theory that one of the tyres blew out, while a Spanish government source said speed was possibly the main cause of the crash.
鈥淎t this moment in time, it is impossible to say exactly what speed the car was going, but that is something the Civil Guard investigators will be able to detail 鈥 at least approximately 鈥 in their final report, from things like the skid marks,鈥 a Civil Guard spokesperson said.
鈥淲hat I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no one else was hurt.鈥
Authorities said in a statement, 鈥渢he car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.鈥
Jota鈥檚 death comes just days after he married Rute Cardoso, and in a social media post, he wrote: 鈥淵es to forever.鈥
The couple had three children, the youngest born last year.
Jota shared a touching message to his wife just days before the crash.
The heartbreaking tragedy comes only 11 days after their joyful wedding ceremony in Porto, Portugal, surrounded by family and friends.
In what now reads as a poignant final tribute, Jota responded to a post from Cardoso on Instagram, where she celebrated their wedding with the words: 鈥淢y dream came true.鈥
Jota replied: 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 the lucky one.鈥
Only a day ago, Cardoso posted their wedding video on Instagram with the caption: 鈥淎 day we will never forget.鈥
Jota also played for Portugal鈥檚 national team and helped them win the Nations League last month. He had represented his country 49 times.
His brother played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.
Liverpool FC said the club was 鈥渄evastated by the tragic passing as fans left flowers at Anfield Road.
Jota had celebrated Liverpool鈥檚 English Premier League win with the club in May.
鈥淟iverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and requests that the privacy of Diogo and Andr茅鈥檚 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.鈥
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club.
The Portuguese Football Federation released a statement lamenting the deaths. Federation president Pedro Proen莽a said Portuguese football was 鈥渃ompletely devastated.鈥
鈥淢ore than a fantastic player, with almost 50 appearances for the national team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference in his community,鈥 Proen莽a said.
鈥淲e lost two champions. Their deaths represent an irreparable loss for Portuguese football, and we will all do our best to honour their legacy daily.鈥
Portugal鈥檚 Prime Minister Lu铆s Montenegro commented on the 鈥渦nexpected and tragic鈥 deaths, saying Jota was 鈥渁n athlete who greatly honoured Portugal鈥檚 name.鈥
鈥淚 extend my deepest condolences to their family. It is a sad day for football and for national and international sport.鈥
Reactions have poured in from around the world, including from non-football stars such as NBA legend LeBron James and tennis icon Rafael Nadal.
鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 make any sense,鈥 Jota鈥檚 Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo said. 鈥淛ust now we were together in the national team, just now you had gotten married. My condolences to your family, to your wife and to your children. I wish them all the strength in the world. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andr茅. We will all miss you.鈥
The Premier League said it was 鈥渟hocked and devastated.鈥
鈥淥ur sincerest condolences go to Diogo鈥檚 family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.鈥
UEFA said its thoughts were with relatives, friends and teammates affected 鈥渂y this heartbreaking loss.鈥
A moment of silence was observed at the women鈥檚 EURO 2025 matches overnight.