Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota was reportedly speeding when his car lost control on a motorway in Spain last week, resulting in the tragic deaths of both him and his brother, Spanish police confirmed on Tuesday.
The untimely passing of Jota, aged 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, on July 3rd, has sent shockwaves through the football community, coming just days after the striker’s wedding.
An ongoing investigation is looking into “the marks left by one of the vehicle’s wheels… all indications suggest a possible excessive speed exceeding the motorway’s limit”, stated the Civil Guard.
“All evidence gathered so far suggests that Diogo Jota was the driver of the vehicle,” they added.
Authorities had previously indicated that a tyre blowout likely occurred while the vehicle was in the process of overtaking, leading to the crash and subsequent fire in the northwestern region of Zamora.
Just hours before the incident, Jota shared a video celebrating his wedding to partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he shares three children.
Their deaths have ignited an outpouring of grief, particularly in their home country of Portugal and at Jota’s club, Liverpool.
Political figures and renowned footballers from both Portugal and Liverpool came together on Saturday for the funeral held in the Porto suburb of Gondomar, alongside family and friends.
After stints at Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jota endeared himself to fans at Liverpool after joining the Premier League club in 2020.
He scored 65 goals for the Reds over five seasons, winning the League Cup and FA Cup in the 2021/22 season and contributing to their record-equalling 20th English league title last season.
The forward also earned 49 caps for Portugal and was part of the squad that claimed victory in this year’s UEFA Nations League.
His younger brother Andre had been playing as a midfielder for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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