Zamora, Spain, July 16, 2025 — A devastating new detail has emerged in the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Spanish authorities have recovered audio from the black box of Jota’s Lamborghini Huracan, revealing the footballer’s haunting final words after a catastrophic tyre blowout sent the vehicle careening off the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, at 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025. The second sentence recorded in the audio has left investigators and the football world reeling, described as deeply chilling and unexpected.
The black box, a data recorder fitted in the high-performance Lamborghini, captured the moments leading up to and immediately following the crash. According to sources close to the Guardia Civil, the audio reveals Jota’s voice as he grappled with the sudden loss of control. The first sentence reportedly reflects his attempt to reassure his brother, André, a professional footballer for Portugal’s Penafiel, as the car veered off the road. The second sentence, however, has been described as haunting, with its contents so profound that authorities have withheld its full transcript out of respect for the family. “It’s not something you can unhear,” said a police spokesperson. “It carries an emotional weight that’s hard to describe.”
The crash occurred as the brothers traveled from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. Jota, 28, had been advised against flying due to a recent medical procedure following a rib injury. Initial reports suggested the Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle, causing it to leave the motorway and burst into flames. Traffic camera footage, released last week, showed the vehicle engulfed in fire, with two Portuguese lorry drivers attempting a desperate rescue. One witness, José Azevedo, claimed Jota was still alive immediately after the impact, a statement now corroborated by the black box data.
Contrary to early police assertions of excessive speed, the black box data indicates the Lamborghini was traveling within the 120 km/h (75 mph) limit. A second lorry driver, José Aleixo Duarte, noted the poor condition of the A-52, with uneven surfaces and debris potentially contributing to the tyre failure. The Guardia Civil is now investigating whether road conditions or a manufacturing defect in the tyre played a role, with a final report expected for the court in Puebla de Sanabria.
The football community remains in mourning. Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, and André, 25, were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, in a funeral attended by teammates including Virgil van Dijk and Bruno Fernandes. Liverpool FC issued a statement: “The loss of Diogo and André is a wound that will not heal. Their light shines on in our hearts.” Fans have continued to gather at Anfield, leaving tributes with messages like “You’ll Never Walk Alone, Diogo.”
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo shared his grief on social media: “Diogo, André, your voices will never fade. Rest in peace.” Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp added, “This tragedy breaks us all. My thoughts are with their family and their three little ones.”
The black box audio has added a poignant layer to an already heart-wrenching story. Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, who married him just 11 days before the crash, has not commented publicly on the recordings. As the investigation continues, the football world holds its breath, united in grief and awaiting answers about the tragedy that took two beloved talents far too soon.