In a stunning and heartbreaking turn in the investigation into the death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota, police have confirmed the recovery of a personal mobile phone from the wreckage of his fatal crash — and what was found inside has sent shockwaves through his family and the football world.
The phone, believed to be Jota’s main private device, had been damaged but was successfully repaired by forensic specialists. Among thousands of encrypted files, officers found a hidden photo folder labeled simply “Gates.” Inside were 12 geotagged images, each showing Jota embracing the same woman — captured at 12 different international airports over the past three years.
The Photos: Intimate, Repetitive, Impossible to Explain
Each image shows the footballer and the unidentified woman in casual clothing, exchanging tight, emotional hugs near arrival gates, baggage carousels, or private car parks. In several, Jota is seen holding her face, kissing her forehead, or carrying her luggage.
Geotag data confirms the photos span airports in:
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London Heathrow
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Porto
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Lisbon
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Geneva
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Amsterdam
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Madrid
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Paris CDG
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Milan
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Munich
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Dubai
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Barcelona
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Manchester
Forensic experts say the photos appear to have been taken intentionally by a third party or via discreet timer capture — suggesting Jota wanted to preserve the moments privately.
Wife’s Reaction: “This Is the Ultimate Betrayal”
Upon being shown the images by investigators, Jota’s widow reportedly broke down in tears and made a decisive legal move: she has filed for an immediate divorce posthumously, requesting full annulment of the marriage’s legal financial obligations and ownership of the family estate under claims of emotional fraud and marital concealment.
A source close to the family said:
“She believed in him. She defended him through every scandal. But this… this felt deliberate. Intimate. Repetitive. It wasn’t a mistake — it was a life she didn’t know about.”
Police Statement: “These Photos Could Be Central”
Chief Inspector Daniel Reeve of Merseyside Police confirmed the discovery:
“The consistency, location data, and emotional tone of the images are being reviewed as part of a wider inquiry into Mr. Jota’s personal associations, travel activity, and possible motives leading up to the crash.”
He added that the woman in the photos is believed to be the same figure named in Jota’s second will, linked to his undisclosed Swiss bank account, and possibly the woman seen arguing with him hours before his death.
Public Reaction: Grief Turns to Disbelief
Fans across the UK and Portugal have been grappling with the growing complexity of Jota’s secret life. Social media is ablaze with heartbreak and shock:
“This wasn’t an affair. This was a hidden second relationship across borders.”
“How did no one notice? Not the club? Not the press? Not his own family?”
What Happens Next
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The woman photographed with Jota is expected to be called for formal questioning
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Jota’s estate may be frozen indefinitely, pending the outcome of multiple will disputes and fraud investigations
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The phone’s remaining data — including deleted messages, voice notes, and financial apps — is now under forensic review