In the early morning of July 3 (local time), a terrible traffic accident occurred on the A-52 highway, passing through the town of Cernadilla, Zamora province (Spain), killing two Portuguese football brothers – Diogo Jota and Andre Silva – on the spot.

Super car explodes like a fireball

According to initial sources, the Lamborghini carrying striker Diogo Jota (28 years old) – who plays for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team – and his brother Andre Silva (26 years old) had an accident while traveling at high speed, allegedly while overtaking another vehicle. A wheel suddenly exploded, causing the car to lose control, veer off the road, flip over several times and then burst into flames. 

At around 0:30 a.m., the 112 Emergency Operations Center for the Castilla y León region received a series of calls from passersby about a supercar exploding like a fireball on the A-52 highway. A shocked witness recounted: “I heard a loud bang, followed by flames in the middle of the night. When I got closer, all that was left was the overturned, charred frame of the car. No one could have survived that collision.”

Emergency services – including Zamora provincial traffic police, fire brigade and Sacyl medical dispatch centre – rushed to the scene after receiving the report. However, both victims had died before they could be reached.

Haunting scene: Supercar burned to the frame, debris scattered everywhere

The first images from the scene captured by Spanish media showed the Lamborghini upside down on the side of the road, almost completely burned to the frame. Many parts were thrown far from the car, scattered on the road. Burnt tire marks were still visible, indicating that the car had slid a long way before crashing into the curb and exploding.

Authorities are also investigating the scene, including a broken guardrail – clear evidence of a violent impact before the car was completely burned.

The A-52 is known to be one of the main traffic routes connecting Northern Portugal with major ports such as Santander, Bilbao, and extending into France. This is a route where accidents often occur due to high traffic density and many sections that allow high speeds.

Having just undergone lung surgery, Jota was advised by his doctor not to fly. He chose to travel by car and ferry to ensure his health. CNN Portugal sports editor Rui Loura said: “He was advised not to fly so he chose to travel by road. This is not the first time Jota has chosen this option.” Journalist Victor Pinto also confirmed: “He is used to this journey because of mild respiratory problems.”

The news of Diogo Jota’s death has shocked the football world. Just 10 days ago, the player had just held a wedding ceremony with his long-time girlfriend Rute Cardoso in his hometown of Porto. On social media, he emotionally shared: “A day we will never forget” – unexpectedly, that was his final farewell.

Meanwhile, fans in Liverpool, Portugal and around the world are leaving countless condolences, flowers and scarves in front of Anfield to remember a talented star who has just passed away so suddenly.

The funerals of Jota and his brother will be held in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, Portugal, at 10am local time on Saturday. Father Jose Manuel Macedo, the parish priest, initially announced that the funeral would take place at 4pm on Friday, but later decided to postpone it.

“We will hold a wake at the Sao Cosme Church before holding a requiem mass at the Matriz de Gondomar Church on Saturday morning,” said Father Macedo.