Softfootball can report the reason for the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday in Spain, Softfootball reports.
According to a report by CNN journalist Rui Laura, as reported by Allfootball, the Portuguese international was travelling from northern Portugal to the Spanish port city of Santander to catch a ferry bound for Plymouth, England, when the fatal crash occurred on the A-52 highway in Zamora province.
The journey, intended as a safer alternative to air travel, ended in tragedy when the brothers’ Lamborghini suffered a suspected tyre blowout while overtaking, veered off the road, and caught fire, as earlier reported by Softfootball.
The report confirmed that the route had been carefully chosen due to Jota’s recent medical condition. The 28-year-old had undergone lung surgery in recent weeks, and doctors advised him to avoid flying. Determined to resume pre-season training with Liverpool, Jota and André embarked on the longer land-and-sea journey to England.
“Jota had recently undergone lung surgery and was told by doctors to avoid air travel. He was heading to Santander to take a ferry across to England and planned to drive the rest of the way to Liverpool. His brother André was accompanying him.”
The Santander-to-Plymouth ferry was scheduled to depart on Thursday, 3rd July, at 4:00 p.m. local time, with arrival expected the following morning. It was a route Jota was not unfamiliar with.
“Diogo Jota was no stranger to travelling overland. He sometimes preferred this route because of mild respiratory discomfort,” journalist Victor Pinto explained. “There is a regular ferry service linking northern Spain to southern England, and he had used it before.”
Softfootball also reported that the tragic news has left Liverpool FC and the broader football community in deep shock. The club had earlier confirmed Jota’s passing and requested privacy for his family, vowing to support them in every way possible.
This latest revelation underscores Jota’s commitment, not just to his career but to his teammates and club. Despite medical constraints, the former Wolves and Porto forward was intent on rejoining Liverpool’s pre-season preparations.
Meanwhile, Softfootball has reported three other players who had a similar fate with the deceased player. Jota’s passing mirrors several high-profile losses the football world has endured over the years: young stars with bright futures, taken suddenly and far too soon.
The 28-year-old Portuguese international had only recently married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, 10 days ago.
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 as a reinforcement to then-Jürgen Klopp’s side, who had just won the EPL title in the Covid-19 season. Throughout his spell with the Reds, Jota played 185 games, scored 65 and assisted 26 times. The Portuguese player also had a league title, a Carabao Cup and an FA Cup during his stay at Anfield.
