The football world is mourning the tragic loss of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday morning. Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in the accident, which occurred on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, approximately 70 miles west of Valladolid, around 12:40 AM. Spanish police have indicated that a tire blew out on the vehicle while it was overtaking another car.
Just hours before the fatal crash, Jota had undergone physiotherapy for a collapsed lung. Miguel Goncalves, Jota's respiratory physiotherapist, revealed that he had been working with the footballer to recover from a pneumothorax. Jota had postponed surgery to play for Liverpool and in Portugal's Nations League victory over Spain in June. Goncalves last saw Jota and his brother around 8:30 PM on Wednesday evening.
Due to his recent surgery, Jota was advised against flying. He and his brother were driving to Santander to catch a ferry to England. They planned to drive at night to avoid the high temperatures and were scheduled to stay at a hotel in the Burgos region to rest. According to Goncalves, the brothers were scheduled to arrive in Santander on Thursday, July 3rd, to catch the ferry to England.
The family was expected to arrive later by plane. Jota had a medical appointment scheduled in Liverpool on Monday, July 7, to assess his condition. Goncalves emphasized Jota's commitment to his recovery and dismissed rumors that the brothers had been partying before the crash. He described Jota as an "unparalleled professional" who was "excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic" about the upcoming season. Goncalves said Jota "made an extraordinary recovery" and was "practically flawless" after physiotherapy.
Jota's death has been met with an outpouring of grief from the football community. Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Jota, saying the death "makes no sense". Liverpool fans have also been paying tribute to Jota at Anfield Stadium.
Jota's funeral will be held on Saturday in Gondomar, near his hometown of Porto. A wake will be held on Friday at the Capelas da Ressurreicao church in Porto. The Liverpool team members are due back at their Melwood training ground next week, with pre-season kicking off on Tuesday, July 8.
