Physiotherapist Miguel Gonçalves, the last healthcare professional to speak with Diogo Jota, shared touching details about the forward’s final hours before the fatal accident that claimed both him and his younger brother, André Silva.
The football world was devastated by the news of the sudden death of the talented forward and his brother in a horrific accident. The Lamborghini they were traveling in reportedly suffered a tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora — just 16 km from the Portuguese border. The car went off the road and caught fire.
Dr. Miguel Gonçalves confirmed that Jota did not consume alcohol before the fatal trip to England.
Gonçalves assured that Jota had not drunk any alcohol before starting the journey. The brothers left Portugal, crossing northern Spain en route to the port of Santander, from where they planned to take a ferry to England.
Jota chose not to fly following medical advice warning about the risks of air travel due to recent lung surgery.
In an emotional revelation, the doctor said he last spoke with the brothers at 8:30 PM on July 2 — just a few hours before the accident, which happened around 12:35 AM on July 3. He told journalists:
“Diogo was very professional and cautious. He had a follow-up exam scheduled in Liverpool on July 7. I was genuinely shocked by the news.”
The brothers opted to travel overnight to avoid the heat and planned to stay overnight in Burgos before continuing to Santander.
“He was extremely professional… Diogo said the trip would last about eight hours, with a stop at a hotel along the way. His family was flying to England to prepare for the weekend,” added Gonçalves.
The vehicle that transported Diogo and André’s bodies back to Portugal.
“Neither of the brothers drank or partied. They were cheerful, calm, and nothing indicated anything was wrong.”
Regarding Jota’s recovery, Gonçalves confirmed that the athlete’s lung showed significant improvement:
“Diogo’s right lung had collapsed, but the recovery was going very well. After yesterday’s session, he was pain-free and ready to return to Liverpool. He was excited and confident about the new season. He even skipped Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Japan to focus on his recovery. He was determined to have a great season.”
Wreckage of the Lamborghini at the accident site.
Jota had the accident in Zamora, just 16 km from the Portuguese border. According to plan, he was traveling to the port of Santander to catch a ferry to England.
Images taken at the site show the car wreckage, remains of the Lamborghini, and the vehicle that transported the bodies back to Portugal.
Funeral ceremonies are scheduled: a wake at São Cosme, near Porto — where Jota recently married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 — and the funeral at 10 AM on July 5 at the Church of Gondomar.
