TWIST: Diogo Jota's Mother Posts Private Message He Sent Minutes Before Crash — But Timestamps Raise Even More Questions
The tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has taken a heart-wrenching turn with a new revelation from Jota’s mother. In a poignant social media post, she shared a private message allegedly sent by Jota just minutes before the fatal crash, offering a glimpse into his final moments. However, the timestamps on the message have sparked confusion and raised fresh questions about the timeline of the accident, fueling demands for a reopened investigation. This article explores the details of the crash, the lorry driver’s claims, Rute Cardoso’s call for answers, the mysterious message, and the broader implications for the ongoing probe.
The Fatal Crash on the A-52
The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, in northwestern Spain. Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Portuguese forward for Liverpool FC, and his 25-year-old brother André Silva, a professional footballer for Penafiel, were killed when their Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder veered off the road and burst into flames. The Spanish Guardia Civil’s preliminary report attributed the crash to a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver, with evidence like 100-meter tyre marks suggesting excessive speed. The brothers were reportedly traveling from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota had been advised against flying due to recent lung surgery.
The tragedy, coming just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, devastated the football world. Tributes poured in from fans, teammates, and figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “senseless.” Liverpool FC described it as an “unfathomable loss,” and fans left flowers and scarves at Anfield, with a placard reading “Diogo lives forever.”
The Lorry Driver’s Testimony and Rute Cardoso’s Demand
The investigation took a controversial turn when Jose Azevedo, a lorry driver who filmed the crash aftermath, claimed Jota was not speeding. In a video shared on X, Azevedo stated, “I saw the car before it crashed, and it wasn’t going fast. They passed me super calmly.” He also alleged that police instructed him not to share his footage or observations, raising suspicions of a cover-up. The video, showing the burning Lamborghini and Azevedo’s lorry tachograph, has millions of views, amplifying public skepticism.
Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow and mother of their three children, demanded the investigation be reopened, citing Azevedo’s testimony and a screenshot from his video allegedly showing the Lamborghini moving at a moderate speed before the crash. Cardoso’s emotional plea on social media emphasized, “My husband was not reckless. The truth matters for him, for André, and for our family.” The screenshot, while grainy, has fueled debate about the police’s focus on speed.
Jota’s Mother’s Heartbreaking Revelation
In a gut-wrenching development, Jota’s mother, whose identity has been kept private out of respect, posted a private message she claims Jota sent her at 12:22 a.m. on July 3, just minutes before the reported time of the crash. The message, shared on X, read: “Mum, we’re on the road, all good. Love you, see you soon.” The post, accompanied by a caption expressing her grief, has moved fans and added complexity to the case. However, the timestamp—12:22 a.m.—raises questions, as the Guardia Civil reported the crash at 12:30 a.m., suggesting an impossibly tight window for the accident to occur.
Some X users speculate the timestamp could indicate a delay in reporting the crash or an error in the official timeline. Others question whether the message was sent by Jota or André, as it’s unclear who was driving. The discrepancy has fueled calls for transparency, with posts like, “If Diogo was texting at 12:22, how did the crash happen eight minutes later? Something doesn’t add up.” The message’s authenticity has not been independently verified, but its emotional weight has resonated deeply, intensifying scrutiny of the investigation.
Police Response and Investigation Challenges
The Guardia Civil maintains that forensic evidence, including tyre marks and vehicle data, supports their conclusion that Jota was driving and likely speeding. A spokesperson stated, “All tests so far point to the vehicle significantly exceeding the speed limit.” The investigation is ongoing, with a final report to be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria. The police have not addressed Azevedo’s claim of being silenced or the new timestamp controversy, but they emphasize that their findings rely on objective data.
The A-52’s poor conditions—darkness, potholes, and frequent fog—have been cited as potential factors, alongside the tyre blowout. Road safety expert Dr. Javier Lopez Delgado noted, “A blowout on a high-performance car like a Lamborghini can be catastrophic, even at legal speeds. The road’s state must be examined.” The earlier crash of a 60-year-old woman on the same stretch hours before Jota’s accident underscores its dangers.
Public Reaction and Speculation
The timestamp revelation has sparked a frenzy on X, with fans and analysts dissecting the message’s implications. Some argue it supports Azevedo’s claim that Jota wasn’t speeding, as texting suggests a relaxed state. Others caution that texting while driving could itself be a factor, though there’s no evidence Jota was using his phone at the moment of the crash. Posts like, “If Diogo was texting his mum, he wasn’t racing. The police need to explain this timeline,” reflect growing distrust. Conversely, some users defend the police, noting that forensic evidence outweighs anecdotal accounts.
The football community remains in mourning, with Liverpool players like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson attending the brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5. The Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, addressed Jota’s children, saying, “Solidarity in love is always stronger than death.” The emotional toll on Jota’s family, especially Cardoso and their three young children, has galvanized public support for a thorough investigation.
Implications for Transparency and Road Safety
The timestamp discrepancy, combined with Azevedo’s allegations and Cardoso’s demands, underscores the need for transparency. Allegations of police instructing a witness to stay silent, if true, could erode trust in the investigation. The screenshot and message, while emotionally compelling, lack forensic weight without corroboration. Dr. Lopez Delgado emphasized, “Speed, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance all need scrutiny. Premature conclusions risk missing the full picture.”
The case highlights the challenges of high-profile investigations, where public grief and social media amplify speculation. The A-52’s history of accidents and the risks of high-performance vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan (top speed 200 mph) demand a comprehensive probe.
Moving Forward
Rute Cardoso’s call to reopen the investigation, now bolstered by Jota’s mother’s message, has intensified pressure on authorities. The timestamp discrepancy—12:22 a.m. for the message versus 12:30 a.m. for the crash—raises legitimate questions about the timeline, though it’s unclear if it will alter the investigation’s trajectory. As the Guardia Civil prepares its final report, the release of traffic camera footage or vehicle data could clarify the circumstances.
For now, the football world continues to honor Jota and Silva. Jota’s 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances and his UEFA Nations League triumphs with Portugal in 2019 and 2025 cement his legacy. As fans chant “Diogo lives forever,” the hope is that truth and justice will provide closure for a grieving family and community.