More devastating details have surfaced regarding the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died at 28 in a fatal car crash in Spain.
As reported by Dan Roan of the BBC, the Portuguese international had recently undergone a minor lung procedure and was medically advised against flying.
To comply with this advice, Jota planned to return to Merseyside for pre-season training via ferry, as Liverpool players were expected back on Monday.
He had embarked on a drive from Porto to the Spanish port city of Santander, where he intended to catch a ferry back to the UK.
CNN Portugal corroborated this timeline, noting that the lung issue reportedly resulted from a collision with Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo in October 2024, as per BBC Sport.
BBC also outlined Jota’s planned travel route to Santander.
The accident is believed to have happened near Zamora, close to the Portuguese border and roughly equidistant—about 190 miles—from both Porto and Santander.
Tragically, according to BBC Sport, Jota had taken this very same route in the opposite direction not long ago to attend his wedding in Portugal.
Since joining Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, the No. 20 made 182 appearances, scored 65 goals, and played a key role in the club’s title-winning campaign under Arne Slot.
Tributes to Jota have poured in from across the football world.
This new information adds even more sorrow to an already heartbreaking loss, particularly at Liverpool’s Kirkby training ground, where players were set to reunite for pre-season.
Former manager Jürgen Klopp was among many to pay tribute, writing: “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.”
Teammates Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai also expressed their grief, reflecting the profound sadness felt within the squad.
While the football community mourns, it cannot compare to the unimaginable pain Jota’s family now endures, facing life without a beloved brother and son who will forever be remembered.
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