BREAKING: Diogo Jota’s Father Requests Access to the Car Wreckage After Noticing Something Missing From His Son’s Wrist

The football world continues to reel from the tragic loss of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who perished in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain. The accident, which occurred on the A-52 highway, claimed the lives of the brothers when their Lamborghini Huracan veered off the road and burst into flames, reportedly due to a tire blowout. As the investigation into the crash deepens, a new development has emerged: Joaquim Silva, Diogo’s father, has requested access to the car wreckage, claiming that a significant item—a wristwatch—was missing from his son’s body when personal effects were returned to the family. This revelation, first reported on social media platforms like X, has sparked widespread curiosity and speculation about the item’s significance and its potential connection to the ongoing investigation.

The Crash and Its Aftermath

The fatal accident occurred around 12:30 AM local time on July 3, 2025, as Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, were traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK. Jota, advised against flying due to recent lung surgery, was reportedly driving the Lamborghini at the time of the crash, which investigators believe was traveling at around 120 km/h (74 mph), exceeding the highway’s speed limit. The vehicle suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, causing it to skid off the A-52, crash into the central reservation, and ignite. Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which had spread to nearby vegetation, but both brothers were pronounced dead at the scene.

The wreckage, described as a “collection of scraps” by The Mirror, was so severely damaged that authorities relied on documents and a license plate to confirm the identities of Diogo and André. Rute Cardoso, Diogo’s wife and mother of their three children, was called to identify the bodies and received psychological support after the harrowing task. Personal effects recovered from the fire were handed over to her, but it is Joaquim Silva’s recent request that has drawn renewed attention to the case.

Joaquim Silva’s Request and the Missing Wrist Item

According to posts circulating on X, Joaquim Silva contacted Spanish authorities in early July 2025, requesting access to the wreckage of the Lamborghini to search for an item he noticed was missing: a wristwatch Diogo was reportedly wearing at the time of the crash. The nature of the watch—whether a sentimental family heirloom, a luxury item, or something else—remains unclear, as neither Joaquim nor the Silva family has provided further details. The request has fueled speculation, with some fans suggesting the watch could hold personal or symbolic significance, while others wonder if it might be relevant to the investigation.

Joaquim’s request comes amid reports of other anomalies at the crash site. Previous accounts noted a mysterious 11cm metallic shard found near the wreckage, which did not belong to the Lamborghini or any known vehicle, and is currently under forensic review. Additionally, classified data revealed an unusual right-turn input on the steering wheel 4.2 seconds before the collision, despite skid marks indicating Diogo attempted to avoid an obstacle for over 11 seconds, with no trace of an object on highway cameras. These details, combined with Joaquim’s focus on the missing watch, have deepened the mystery surrounding the crash.

Who Is Joaquim Silva?

Joaquim Silva, a former amateur footballer and a respected figure in Porto’s industrial sector, played a significant role in shaping Diogo and André’s careers. Described by family friend Cosme Silva as instilling “discipline and humility” in his sons, Joaquim was a guiding force behind Diogo’s rise to prominence at Liverpool and André’s professional journey at FC Penafiel. His active involvement in their lives makes his request to inspect the wreckage particularly poignant, suggesting a personal stake in understanding the circumstances of their deaths.

Since the funeral on July 5, 2025, at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, Joaquim has remained largely silent, save for a viral two-line statement: “Our boys are gone, but their light remains. We carry their dreams in silence.” His request for access to the wreckage marks a rare public action, prompting questions about what he hopes to uncover. Some speculate that the missing watch could be a family keepsake, possibly linked to Diogo’s recent wedding to Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025, or a gift tied to his footballing achievements.

Theories and Speculation

The missing wristwatch has sparked a flurry of theories on social media. On X, fans have proposed various possibilities:

• Sentimental Value: Some believe the watch was a gift from Rute or a family heirloom, explaining Joaquim’s urgency to recover it.

• Evidence or Clue: Others suggest the watch could have recorded data, such as a smartwatch with GPS or health tracking, potentially offering insights into the moments before the crash.

• Cultural Symbolism: In Portuguese tradition, personal items can carry deep emotional weight, and some fans speculate Joaquim may be seeking closure by retrieving a meaningful object.

The absence of the watch among the personal effects returned to Rute Cardoso has also raised questions about the recovery process. Was the item destroyed in the fire, overlooked by investigators, or removed before the family received the belongings? The lack of clarity has led to speculation about whether the watch’s absence could point to external interference, though no evidence supports this claim.

Investigation Updates and Challenges

Spanish authorities, led by the Civil Guard in Zamora, are continuing their investigation, with a final report expected to take several days. The current hypothesis points to a tire blowout as the primary cause, potentially exacerbated by speeding, as the Lamborghini was estimated to be traveling significantly above the 120 km/h limit. However, local concerns about the A-52’s condition have surfaced, with town hall sources in Cernadilla describing the highway as “very dangerous” due to its bends and history of accidents, including a near-fatal crash at the same location eight days prior. An independent expert, Javier Lopez Delgado, suggested the road surface may have contributed to the tragedy, challenging the narrative that speed was the sole factor.

Joaquim’s request to access the wreckage adds a new layer to the investigation. While authorities have not publicly commented on the missing watch, the request could prompt a re-examination of the debris, potentially uncovering new evidence. The presence of the metallic shard and the unexplained steering input already suggest unanswered questions, and the watch’s absence may further complicate the narrative.

The Football Community’s Response

The football world continues to mourn Diogo and André, with tributes pouring in from teammates, rivals, and fans. Liverpool’s Anfield stadium has become a shrine of flowers, scarves, and notes, while a minute’s silence was observed at the UEFA Women’s Euros and other matches. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Virgil van Dijk have expressed their grief, emphasizing Diogo’s warmth and talent. The viral nature of Joaquim’s request has reignited discussions on X, with hashtags like #JotaMystery and #SilvaBrothers trending as fans seek answers about the watch and the crash’s circumstances.

Cultural and Emotional Context

Joaquim’s request resonates deeply in Portugal, where family and personal artifacts often carry profound significance. The act of seeking a missing item from a loved one’s final moments reflects a universal desire for closure, particularly in the wake of such a public tragedy. For fans, the story of the missing watch taps into the emotional weight of Diogo’s legacy, from his Premier League triumph to his role as a devoted father and husband. The ambiguity surrounding the item mirrors the broader uncertainty of the crash, fueling public fascination.

What’s Next?

As the investigation progresses, Joaquim’s request may lead to new developments, potentially clarifying the watch’s significance or uncovering overlooked details in the wreckage. For now, the Silva family’s grief remains at the forefront, with Rute Cardoso and her three children facing an uncertain future. The football community, from Gondomar to Liverpool, continues to honor Diogo and André, ensuring their “light remains” as Joaquim’s viral statement promised. Whether the missing wristwatch holds answers or simply represents a father’s need to connect with his sons’ memory, its absence has added another chapter to this heartbreaking saga.