Less than a week after the accident that cost Diogo Jota and his brother André their lives, the first official data are already known. The preliminary report from the Guardia Civil confirms that the Lamborghini they were traveling in was going at high speed. The speed limit on that road is 75 mph (120 km/h), but the car was traveling "in excess," according to the authorities.
The evidence indicates that the driver was Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota himself. The vehicle suffered a tire blowout while overtaking another car, and the impact caused them to leave the road. In addition, after the accident, the car caught fire, causing both players to die instantly.
The accident occurred at mile 40 (kilometer 65) of the highway, as they were heading toward Santander. They had planned to take a boat to England, since Diogo Jota was supposed to rejoin preseason training. The decision to travel by boat and not by plane to Liverpool was made on medical advice after Diogo's recent lung surgery.
The investigation continues
Although the report points to a clear cause, the investigation hasn't concluded yet. The officers in charge of the case are still analyzing technical and mechanical details. The final document will be delivered to the court in Puebla de Sanabria.
Other factors are still being studied, such as the condition of the pavement, tire pressure, and possible driving errors. The speed and the blowout seem to be determining elements, but until the judicial process is over, no possibility will be ruled out.
It also hasn't been ruled out that the brothers were forced to speed up due to time constraints. Their trip to Santander was part of the club's medical planning. Using the car and the boat was an alternative to avoid health complications on the plane.
Tributes and grief in soccer
The news of the death of Diogo Jota, 27 years old, and his brother André Silva, 21, shocked the soccer world. Since Thursday, July 3, tributes and messages of condolence have followed one after another. During the Club World Cup quarterfinals, a minute of silence was observed at all matches.
Some footballers have also wanted to pay their own tribute. Dembélé and Mbappé dedicated a goal to Jota during a PSG match. On social media, teammates like Alexander-Arnold, Rúben Neves, and Bruno Fernandes showed their sadness.
Messages also came from sports institutions and Portuguese clubs. The Federação Lusa, FC Porto, and Paços de Ferreira, among others, issued statements. All of them highlighted the professionalism and human quality of the two young men.
An emotional funeral
On July 5, the joint funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother took place in Gondomar, their hometown. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony, including family, friends, and prominent soccer figures. Liverpool and Portuguese national team teammates were present.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool's captain, wore a floral jersey with the number 20, the number Diogo used. Jordan Henderson, veteran of the English club, wore another with the number 30 in memory of André Silva. Silence and tears marked a deeply felt event.
Attendees highlighted the closeness and humility of both players. Many of them shared moments with the family after the ceremony. Local authorities also declared three days of official mourning in their honor.