Spanish police have confirmed that speeding was the likely cause of the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother last week.
Preliminary investigations by police suggest the 28-year-old Portuguese international was driving at high speed while attempting to overtake another vehicle on a rural road near Marbella when he lost control. The car veered off the road and erupted in flames upon impact, killing both occupants at the scene.
The crash occurred just days after Jota returned from his honeymoon. He had recently married his longtime partner and was expected to rejoin Liverpool for pre-season training ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
“Early evidence points to excessive speed being a key factor,” a spokesperson for the Civil Guard traffic division told reporters on Saturday. “We are continuing to gather data from the vehicle’s black box and eyewitness accounts.”
News of Jota’s sudden death has sent shockwaves across the football world. Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered condolences, describing the forward as “a national talent lost too soon.”
In England, Liverpool FC released an emotional statement:
“Diogo was more than a player—he was part of our family. His energy, passion, and humility inspired us all. We mourn with his family and loved ones.”
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Teammates and rivals alike took to social media to pay tribute, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who called Jota “a proud son of Portugal who played with heart every time he wore the shirt.”
Born in Massarelos, Portugal, Diogo Jota rose through the ranks at Paços de Ferreira, before making his name at FC Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finally Liverpool, where he became a key player under manager Jürgen Klopp. Known for his sharp instincts, clinical finishing, and relentless work rate, Jota earned 34 caps for Portugal and scored crucial goals in both domestic and international competitions.
Police say a full autopsy and toxicology report are pending, but no foul play is suspected. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby toll stations and analyzing skid marks and debris from the crash site.
A private funeral will be held later this week in Porto, while Liverpool and the Portuguese national team are reportedly planning tribute matches in his honour.
As investigations continue, fans around the world are left to grapple with the sudden loss of a player whose career was still unfolding—and a man who had just begun a new chapter in life.