Liverpool manager Arne Slot has stunned the football world with a revelation about the tragic car accident that killed star forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, at 12:30 AM local time on Spain’s A-52 highway near Zamora.
The 28-year-old Portuguese international and his 26-year-old brother, a Penafiel midfielder, perished when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.
Initially attributed to a tire blowout during overtaking, new details from an official Spanish police report, shared by Slot on July 3, 2025, indicate a suspicious substance resembling a bomb was found in the wreckage, prompting a deeper investigation into possible sabotage.
Slot, speaking at a press conference, said, “The police have informed us of a disturbing discovery—a substance that looks explosive.
They’re now treating this as a potential sabotage case, and we’re cooperating fully while respecting the family’s privacy.” The substance, described as inconsistent with typical car debris, has shifted the investigation’s focus from earlier theories of speeding or a mechanical failure.
Speculation about Jota being drunk or coming from a nightclub, fueled by unverified social media posts, has been dismissed by authorities, who found no evidence of intoxication.
The possibility of an external device causing the tire blowout is now under scrutiny, with forensic teams analyzing the wreckage.
The crash, which saw flames spread to nearby vegetation, has left the football community in mourning. Jota, who married Rute Cardoso on June 22, leaves behind three children.
His 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances, including a key role in their 2024/25 Premier League title, and 14 goals in 49 Portugal caps defined his legacy. André was a rising star at Penafiel.
Tributes from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Portugal’s Prime Minister have poured in, with UEFA confirming a minute’s silence at Portugal’s Women’s Euro 2025 match against Spain.
Fans on social media are reeling, with some calling the sabotage claims “terrifying” and others urging caution against speculation.
Liverpool’s statement expressed devastation, requesting privacy for the family, as fans gather at Anfield with tributes.
The investigation’s new direction raises chilling questions about motive, overshadowing Liverpool’s preparations for their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on August 17.
Jota’s absence, alongside Andy Robertson’s injury and other squad changes, leaves Arne Slot facing a challenging start to the season amid this unprecedented tragedy.
