Diogo Jota’s 5-Year-Old Son Kept Asking “Where’s Daddy’s Car?” — Until His Mother Finally Showed Him One Heartbreaking Photo

The soccer world continues to reel from the tragic loss of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in a car crash on July 3, 2025, near Cernadilla, Spain. Amid the outpouring of grief from fans, teammates, and global figures, a deeply personal story has emerged involving Jota’s five-year-old son, Denis, whose persistent question, “Where’s Daddy’s car?” led to a heartbreaking moment for his mother, Rute Cardoso. This article explores the emotional toll on Jota’s family, the circumstances of the crash, and the broader impact of this tragedy on the football community.

The Tragedy on the A-52 Motorway

On July 3, 2025, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, were killed when their Lamborghini Huracán veered off the A-52 motorway in northwestern Spain and burst into flames. Spanish authorities reported that the crash was likely caused by a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, with initial investigations suggesting possible speeding. The brothers were en route to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota had been advised against flying due to a recent minor lung surgery. The loss came just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, his high school sweetheart and mother of their three children: Denis, Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024.

A Child’s Innocent Question

In the days following the crash, Rute Cardoso faced the unimaginable task of explaining the loss to her young children. According to sources close to the family, five-year-old Denis repeatedly asked, “Where’s Daddy’s car?”—a question rooted in his familiarity with the green Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder that Jota often shared on social media. The car, a symbol of Jota’s success, was a point of pride for the family, frequently featured in photos alongside Jota, Rute, and their children. Denis’s innocent inquiries reflected his struggle to understand his father’s absence, unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded.

Rute, grappling with her own grief, initially shielded her children from the harsh reality. However, as Denis’s questions persisted, she made the heart-wrenching decision to show him a photograph of the crash site, taken by a passing trucker and published by Spanish media. The image depicted the charred remains of the Lamborghini, surrounded by burned vegetation, a stark contrast to the vibrant family moments captured in earlier photos. The moment was devastating, with sources describing Rute breaking down as Denis fell silent, beginning to comprehend the loss. This private moment underscores the profound personal impact of the tragedy on Jota’s young family.

The Family’s Grief

Rute Cardoso, 28, has been at the center of the family’s mourning process. Married to Jota on June 22, 2025, in a joyful ceremony in Porto, she described the day as “my dream come true” on Instagram, with Jota replying, “I’m the lucky one.” The couple, together since their teenage years, had built a life around their three children and shared moments of happiness, from vacations in Dubai to celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League title. The sudden loss of both Jota and André, a professional footballer with Penafiel, has left Rute to navigate an “unimaginable loss,” as described by Liverpool FC’s statement.

The funeral on July 5 in Gondomar, Portugal, drew hundreds, including Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who carried floral tributes bearing Jota’s number 20 and André’s number 30. Rute was seen leaning on Jota’s coffin, supported by teammates and family, as the community grieved. The family’s pain was compounded by the need to identify the brothers’ remains at a morgue in Puebla de Sanabria, a task that required psychological support for Rute.

The Football Community’s Response

Jota’s death sent shockwaves through the football world. A prolific striker, he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, earning the nickname “Jota the slotter” for his clinical finishing. His final game was Portugal’s Nations League victory over Spain on June 8, 2025, where he came off the bench in a penalty shootout win. Tributes poured in from Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “senseless,” to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who recalled presenting Jota with a medal just weeks earlier. Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers and scarves, while calls emerged to retire Jota’s number 20 shirt.

Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martínez, spoke at the funeral, emphasizing the nation’s unity: “We are a very large, close family. Diogo and André’s spirits will be with us forever.” The Premier League and UEFA announced moments of silence at matches, reflecting Jota’s global impact.

A Community in Mourning

In Gondomar, the brothers’ hometown, the community rallied around the family. Local fan Fábio Silva told the BBC that Jota’s humility inspired many, noting, “They never let their success show.” The funeral, held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, was a somber contrast to Jota’s wedding just weeks earlier in the same church. The outpouring of support highlighted the brothers’ deep ties to their community, with fans like Rafaela urging others to “live life to the max” in their memory.

Looking Forward

As investigations into the crash continue, the focus remains on supporting Jota’s family. Rute is expected to inherit up to £35 million from Jota’s estate, providing financial security for their children, but no amount can ease the emotional void. The image of the wrecked Lamborghini, shown to Denis, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life. For Liverpool and Portugal, Jota’s legacy as a player and person endures, with fans vowing to “sing his song” and honor his memory. As the family navigates this loss, the football world stands with them, echoing Arne Slot’s words: “You will never walk alone.”