Liverpool star Diogo Jota's supercar had been recalled before death
There have been suggestions the model of the supercar involved in the death of Diogo Jota had had been plagued by recalls and serious safety issues.
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Liverpool star Diogo Jota had posted a heartbreaking video of his wedding just hours before he died in a car crash alongside his brother.
The 28-year-old Portuguese forward and father-of-three was driving through Zamora, Spain in a Lamborghini when his tyre suddenly blew out and sent the car veering off the road before it burst into flames, according to the Civil Guard.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva, 26, who played for second-tier club Penafiel, were both killed, authorities confirmed.
“Everything points to the blowout of a tyre while it (the vehicle) was overtaking,” the Civil Guard said in a statement, adding that the corpses had been taken to a morgue.
The central government’s representative in Zamora, Angel Blanco, told reporters the car “was burned out, and they died inside”.
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The Sun reports, the luxury Lamborghini Jota appeared to be travelling in had been plagued by recalls and serious safety issues.
Sources at Lamborghini said the company believes the car driven was a Huracán — a luxury model often seen in the garages of football’s elite.
English defender Kyle Walker is one of many footballers seen driving the same iconic supercar, which retails at around $520,00 (£250,000).
The model is no longer in production but was one of Lamborghini’s most successful cars with more than 25,000 units sold around the world.
The Huracán has faced safety-related recalls over the years, including headlight adjustments that could cause glare and reduce visibility, as well as a seat belt warning failure, Carscoops.com reports.
A September 2024 recall affected 39 examples of the Huracán EVO Spyder in the US.
Lamborghini admitted that a crash protection bracket — essential to the front structural member — may have been installed on the wrong side due to human error at the Sant’Agata Bolognese factory.
Affected cars were built between November 20, 2023 and July 26, 2024.
That defect, reportedly discovered by a factory worker, prompted Lamborghini to block production and inspect affected cars, reports autoevolution.com.
In November 2023, Lamborghini recalled 7,805 Huracán models built between July 30, 2014 and October 30, 2023.
The issue was a function in the infotainment system which allowed drivers to adjust headlights horizontally — including into “tourist mode” for left-hand driving — a feature not allowed under U.S. federal safety rules.
This could create glare for oncoming traffic and reduce driver visibility.
Lamborghini issued a software update to remove the feature.
There is no indication that any other safety issues that had been subject to recalls over recent years played a part in Jota’s tragic crash.
It is also not known what specific Huracán model the footballer was driving when he crashed.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Lamborghini told The Sun: “We are saddened to learn of the accident that occurred in Spain involving a Lamborghini, in which Diogo and André Jota tragically lost their lives.
“In this moment of deep sorrow, we extend our heartfelt condolences to their family.
“Automobili Lamborghini awaits further information regarding the circumstances of the incident, in full respect for the people involved.”
The brothers’ funerals will be held in their home town of Gondomar near the Portuguese city of Porto at 10am on Saturday,
Jota had married his high school sweetheart Rute Cardoso in his home city of Porto just 10 days earlier and was heading back to the UK as Liverpool is due to start pre-season training on Monday.
The star player shared a video of their special day on Instagram, captioning the post “A day we will never forget.”
Jota was travelling via car and ferry after doctors reportedly advised him not to catch a plane following a recent operation. He had missed several matches last season after suffering a rib injury in October during a match against Chelsea.
“The surgery he had was lung surgery and he had been advised against flying following this,” CNN Portugal’s sports editor Rui Loura said on air:
“He was on his way to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to cross by ferry and reach the UK that way and carry on with the car once he reached Britain.
The tragedy reportedly occurred on the A52, near the municipality of Palacios de Sanabria, just after midnight local time.
Local media published video footage showing the charred, mangled remains of what they identified as Jota’s Lamborghini on the side of a motorway.
Jota played on the left wing for Liverpool after joining from Wolves in 2020 for a fee of £41 million (AU$85 million).
Jota became a key member of the Reds under Jurgen Klopp and last season under new manager Arne Slot.
Along with last season’s Premier League title, Jota also won an FA Cup and League Cup during his time with the English giants.
Born in Porto, Jota also played for the Portuguese national team, helping his country win the Nations League title in 2019 and 2025.
‘Devastated’ teammates pay their respects
The Portuguese national football team have said they are “devastated” by Jota’s death.
Personal tributes have also been flooding in for the star with Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way in a post online, saying the death “makes no sense” just after his marriage and their UEFA Nations League title with the national team.
“It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the selection, you had gotten married now,” the superstar forward wrote.
“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish you all the strength in the world.
“I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Portuguese football federation president Pedro Proenca said he was “devastated”, calling Jota “an extraordinary person, respected by all his colleagues and opponents, someone blessed with an infectious joy and a reference for his own community”.
“We have lost two champions. The death of Diogo and Andre Silva are irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything possible to honour their legacy every day,” Proenca wrote on social media.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who brought Jota to the Reds in 2020, said he was “heartbroken” in an Instagram post, while the club spoke of an “unimaginable loss”.
Fans were laying shirts, scarves, flowers and banners in tribute at the club’s Anfield stadium, social media footage showed.
Liverpool icons including Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and David James have all also paid their respects.
Carragher posted on Instagram: “Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute and their three kids.”
They added Jota “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said Jota “greatly honoured Portugal’s name”, while his former clubs Porto, Atletico Madrid and Wolverhampton Wanderers were among the string of footballing and political figures expressing shock and condolences.
Both players “will be commemorated not only for their footballing talent, but also for their personal and human qualities … football has lost two great men”, Porto president Andre Villas-Boas said in a statement.
“We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him … the memories he created will never be forgotten,” Wolves said.
“They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!”, Jota’s international teammate Ruben Neves posted in an Instagram story.
UEFA announced a moment of silence would be observed in memory of Jota before all matches on Thursday and Friday at the Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland, where Portugal were due to play Spain.
In total Jota made 123 appearances and scored 47 goals for Liverpool following his move from Wolverhampton.
“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” the club said in a statement.
“The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“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.”
Ex-player and pundit Gary Neville said: “That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.”
Prominent reporter Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother have both passed away due to traffic accident, reports Marca.
“Deepest condolences, support, and thoughts are with those involved, his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.”
Liverpool reporter Lewis Steele wrote on X: “‘Oh his name is Diogo’. Desperately heartbreaking. Rest in peace Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.”
Podcast Anfield Edition said: “We’re at an absolute loss for words right now. Heartbroken. Our thoughts and prayers are with the wife, children, family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother.”
Piers Morgan offered: “Desperately sad news coming out of Spain that Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota, 28, has died, along with his brother, in a car accident in Zamora. He only got married 2 weeks ago. Heart-breaking.”
With The Sun and AFP
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Originally published as Liverpool star Diogo Jota's supercar had been recalled before death
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