Details have emerged about the car crash that killed Liverpool soccer star Diogo Jota and his brother last week.
Jota was behind the wheel of his Lamborghini when it crashed in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday, July 3, a spokesperson for Spain’s Guardia Civil told CNN Sports about their preliminary investigation.
Investigators also believe speed was a factor in the crash due to tire marks left on the highway.
Jota’s Lamborghini — which was also carrying his brother, André Silva — burst into flames following a burst tire. Jota was 28 years old, while Silva was 26.
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Guardia Civil plans on finalizing its investigation by the end of the week. It will be sent to a local judge before being released to the public.
The brothers were laid to rest during a funeral service in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, on Saturday, July 5.
Jota’s death came less than two weeks after he married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso.
Days before the crash, Cardoso posted a series of photos via Instagram from their June 22 wedding.
“My dream came true 
,” Cardoso wrote.
Jota commented, “But I’m the lucky one 
.”
Cardoso and Jota got engaged in 2022 after years of dating. The couple shared three young children: sons Dinis, 4, and Duarte, 2, and a daughter who was born in November 2024.
Liverpool FC, where Jota had played since 2020, made a statement about his death shortly after the tragic news was reported.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the team posted on its website on Thursday. “The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.”
The statement continued, “Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Jota’s sudden death was felt by individuals in all corners of the sports world, including Liverpool minority stakeholder LeBron James.
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“My prayers goes [sic] out to his loved ones during this time!” James, 40, posted via X on Thursday. “May you all be guided and protected! YNWA JOTA!! 
.”
“YWNA” is an abbreviation for “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a song that’s become an anthem for the Liverpool faithful.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, who played with Jota on the Portuguese national team, also expressed his condolences on social media.
“It does not make sense,” Ronaldo, 40, wrote via X on Thursday. “We were only just together in the national team, you had only just got married. I send my condolences and all the strength in the world to your family, to your wife and to your children. I know that you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
