Diogo Jota car crash cause theory as Liverpool star dies at 28 in tragic incident

A theory has been put forward as to what caused the car crash that killed Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre Silva. The incident happened at around 12.30am local time when the Lamborghini in which the Portuguese player was travelling left the road and caught fire in a Spanish province. The country's authorities said that an investigation being carried out by the Guardia Civil points to "the bursting of a tyre during overtaking", according to a statement sent to the Lusa news agency. The incident occurred at kilometre 65 of the A52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora, and saw a vehicle leave the road on the left-hand side, officials said.

The car is understood to have then caught fire. Liverpool FC 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."

Portugal's national team posted on X: "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain.

"Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the National Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community."

It then passed its "deepest condolences" to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.

"The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team's match against Spain in the Women's European Championship," the federation said.

"We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily."

Jota's final Instagram post celebrated his wedding day to bride Rute Cardoso .

The forward said he would "never forget" the occassion just days before his tragic death.

The couple tied the knot in June after sharing a long-term relationship which began in 2012.

They have three children together.

Jota recently won the Premier League title with Liverpool, and the Nations League with Portugal.

He played for Wolverhampton Wanderers before moving to the Reds, who he scored 65 goals and provided 22 assists for.