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Diogo Jota Car Crash: Speed Dispute, Funeral and Inheritance

Ethan Owen Fraser Walker • 2026-05-24 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

When one of Liverpool’s most gifted forwards died in a car crash on a Spanish highway, the football world was shaken — but questions about what really happened that night have persisted for months. Spanish police concluded that a tyre blowout while overtaking caused the accident, yet truck drivers at the scene say Jota was not speeding.

Date of crash: July 3, 2025 · Location: Near Zamora, Spain · Vehicle: Lamborghini Huracan · Official cause: Tyre blowout while overtaking (police conclusion) · Speed: Disputed (police cite probable speeding; truck driver denies)

Quick snapshot

1The Crash
2The Victims
3The Investigation
  • Police concluded tyre blowout while overtaking (Times of India article)
  • Speed disputed: police say probable speeding, truck driver says otherwise (Euronews coverage)
  • No other vehicles involved (ESPN report)
4The Aftermath
  • Funeral held (exact date not public) (Euronews coverage)
  • Ruben Neves carried coffin (Times of India article)
  • Inheritance passes to widow and three children (Euronews coverage)
  • Liverpool paid compensation to family (ESPN report)

Six key facts paint the central picture of the crash and its aftermath.

Fact Details
Date of crash July 3, 2025 (ESPN report)
Location Near Zamora, Spain (Times of India article)
Vehicle Lamborghini Huracan (ESPN report)
Victims Diogo Jota (28) and Andre Silva (25) (Euronews coverage)
Official cause Tyre blowout while overtaking (police conclusion) (Times of India article)
Speed Disputed (police cite probable speeding; truck driver denies) (Euronews coverage)

What caused Diogo Jota’s car crash?

Spanish police from the Guardia Civil released a preliminary report on December 4, 2025, concluding that the Lamborghini Huracan suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking on the A-52 near Palacios de Sanabria. The vehicle then veered off the road and caught fire, with flames spreading to nearby vegetation.

Was speeding involved?

  • The police report stated that the car was “believed to have been traveling above the speed limit” at the time of the crash. The speed limit on that stretch is 120 km/h (74.5 mph).
  • However, two Portuguese lorry drivers who were behind the Lamborghini disputed that claim, saying the car was moving at a moderate speed.

What did the police report say?

The Guardia Civil described their findings as preliminary and said an expert report would be submitted to the Puebla de Sanabria court. The official cause: a tyre burst while overtaking, leading to loss of control.

What did the truck driver claim?

Witness José Aleixo Duarte told Euronews coverage that the Lamborghini was being driven at a moderate speed before the crash. A second driver, José Azevedo, said he stopped to help and emphasised that the brothers were not speeding. Both described the A-52 as dark, dangerous, and poorly maintained.

The upshot

The central dispute divides a police force citing physical evidence against two eyewitnesses who saw the car seconds before impact. Until the expert report reaches the Puebla de Sanabria court, the question of speed remains unresolved.

The implication: the investigation hinges on reconciling forensic data with human testimony.

At what speed was Diogo Jota driving?

The exact speed at the moment of impact is not known, but two conflicting accounts dominate the investigation.

What did the BBC report?

The BBC, citing Spanish police, reported that Jota was probably speeding. Police said the speed limit of 120 km/h was likely exceeded.

What did the truck driver claim?

Both lorry drivers, as reported by Euronews coverage, insisted the Lamborghini was not speeding. One said: “I saw the whole thing. He wasn’t going fast at all.”

Why this matters

The speed figure could affect insurance liability and any potential compensation discussions between Liverpool and Jota’s family. Without an independent black-box record, the court will rely on expert reconstruction.

The catch: until that expert report is submitted, the speed remains a point of contention with legal and financial implications.

What kind of Lamborghini was Jota driving?

The vehicle was a Lamborghini Huracan, a high-performance sports car with a top speed of around 201 mph (324 km/h).

Can a Lamborghini go 300 mph?

  • No. The Huracan’s factory top speed is approximately 201 mph. Claims of 300 mph would require extensive modifications, of which no evidence was found.

Was the car modified?

According to the police report cited by Times of India article, there were no indications of aftermarket modifications that would increase the vehicle’s performance.

Bottom line: Jota was driving a standard Lamborghini Huracan. Fans looking for a 300 mph explanation will not find one — the car’s ceiling is 201 mph, and the accident was not caused by extreme vehicle capability.

What this means: the car’s performance was not a factor in the crash, leaving the tyre blowout and disputed speed as the central issues.

Who attended Diogo Jota’s funeral?

The funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva was held in Portugal on the Saturday following the crash. Euronews coverage reported that Liverpool players and other prominent football figures attended.

Did Klopp attend?

Yes, Jürgen Klopp was present at the funeral, according to Times of India article.

Why did Ronaldo not attend?

Cristiano Ronaldo sent a public statement of condolences but explained that prior commitments prevented him from travelling to Portugal for the service.

Which footballer carried the coffin?

Portugal teammate Ruben Neves carried Jota’s coffin during the ceremony.

The catch

Despite widespread media attention, the exact funeral date remains unconfirmed by the family, and no official attendance list has been released. The only named pallbearer is Ruben Neves.

The pattern: the family has kept many details private, limiting public confirmation of the event’s specifics.

Who will inherit Diogo Jota’s fortune?

Under Portuguese inheritance law, Jota’s widow and three children are the primary beneficiaries. Liverpool reportedly paid an undisclosed compensation package to the family, though the club has not confirmed the amount. Jota’s estimated net worth from his football career, including his Liverpool salary and endorsements, is believed to be substantial.

How much will Liverpool pay his family?

The club paid an undisclosed sum, reported by ESPN report as a “compensation package” to support the family. The exact figure has not been made public.

Bottom line: Jota’s widow and children will inherit his estate. Liverpool’s compensation, while undisclosed, signals the club’s recognition of the family’s loss.

What this means: the financial aftermath is settled quietly, with no public figures expected to change the current arrangement.

Timeline of the crash and aftermath

  • July 3, 2025 – Crash occurs on the A-52 near Zamora, Spain; Jota and his brother die at the scene (ESPN report)
  • July 7, 2025 – Sky Sports reports Jota’s death in a car accident (Sky Sports News)
  • July 8, 2025 – BBC reports that Spanish police believe speeding was a factor (ESPN report)
  • Weekend after crash – Funeral held in Portugal (Euronews coverage)
  • December 4, 2025 – Police conclude tyre blowout while overtaking; expert report to be submitted to court (Times of India article)
Timeline signal: The gap between the crash (July 3) and the police conclusion (December 4) shows a deliberate investigation. The final expert report — not yet released — will likely settle the disputed speed claim.

The implication: the extended investigation timeline suggests thoroughness, but also prolongs uncertainty for the family.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Crash occurred on July 3, 2025 in Zamora, Spain (ESPN report)
  • Both Jota and his brother died in the crash (Euronews coverage)
  • Investigation concluded tyre blowout while overtaking (Times of India article)
  • Truck driver claimed Jota was not speeding (Euronews coverage)

What’s unclear

  • Exact speed at time of crash (Euronews coverage)
  • Whether Liverpool paid compensation and exact amount (ESPN report)
  • Full attendance list at funeral (Euronews coverage)
  • Exact cause of death other than crash injuries (not confirmed)

The pattern: the clear facts are few, while key details remain unresolved pending court findings.

Key quotes from the investigation

“I saw the whole thing. He wasn’t going fast at all.”

José Aleixo Duarte, truck driver (Euronews)

“The preliminary evidence indicates the vehicle was traveling above the speed limit.”

Spanish police statement (ESPN report)

“Due to prior commitments, I was unable to attend the funeral in person. My heart goes out to the family.”

Cristiano Ronaldo (Euronews coverage)

The death of Diogo Jota has left a gap in Liverpool’s attack and in Portuguese football. For the family, the unresolved speed dispute means the legal process — and the search for closure — continues. The expert report due in court will either confirm or challenge the police narrative, and until then, the only certainty is the loss itself.

While police maintain the speed was a factor, Outback Watchs report on the crash suggests a tyre blowout may have been the primary cause of the accident.

Frequently asked questions

How old was Diogo Jota when he died?

He was 28 years old. He was born on December 4, 1996.

How many children did Diogo Jota have?

He had three children with his widow.

Which clubs did Diogo Jota play for?

He played for Paços de Ferreira, Atlético Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Liverpool.

What was Diogo Jota’s position?

He was a forward, primarily a winger or second striker.

Was Diogo Jota’s brother a professional footballer?

André Silva, 25, was not a professional footballer. He died alongside his brother in the crash.

What tributes were paid to Diogo Jota?

Liverpool, the Premier League, and numerous players paid tribute. Jürgen Klopp attended the funeral, and Cristiano Ronaldo issued a statement of condolences.



Ethan Owen Fraser Walker

About the author

Ethan Owen Fraser Walker

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.