On July 3, 2025, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, leaving behind a profound grief that upended the Premier League club and the player’s family just eleven days after his wedding. Rute Cardoso, who married the Portuguese international shortly before the tragedy, detailed the final messages exchanged with her husband in a biography published in partnership with the Reds foundation, with excerpts reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The Final Text Messages Exchanged Before the Crash
The journey was scheduled as a two-day trip running from July 2 to July 3, featuring an overnight stop at a hotel in Benavente as Diogo Jota traveled to return a rented Lamborghini to Santander before heading back to England. Cardoso recalled that her husband was not typically drawn to luxury cars, jewelry, or watches, but used the opportunity to drive a Ferrari prior to their wedding and subsequently rented the Lamborghini for the trip north.
A few minutes after they left, I sent a message to Diogo telling him: Have a good trip,
Cardoso recounted. After he replied with an emoji, she sent a final, unheeded warning: Keep your eyes on the road.
Shortly afterward, she sent another SMS containing a video of a surprise dance performed by her and the bridesmaids at their wedding. He said: when you stop, I have a video to show you. It was delivered, but it was never read,
she noted.
The Night of Waiting and the Phone Call From Police
As the hours ticked past midnight, Cardoso grew increasingly anxious when WhatsApp messages sent to both Diogo Jota and André Silva remained unread long after their expected arrival time at the hotel. Checked messages and unanswered calls to hospitals and Spanish police led her to contact an uncle who could reach highway authorities. While still on the phone with her uncle as he spoke to an officer, she overheard confirmation that the bodies of two brothers had been taken to a morgue.
According to my watch, I walked 11 kilometers that night pacing back and forth in the courtyard of my sister’s house,
Cardoso shared, recalling her dread over the safety of their children if anything were to happen to them.
A telephone call from law enforcement officially confirmed the worst to the family. I hereby declare the death of Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, born December 4, 1996,
the officer informed her, noting that the Liverpool player was 28 years old at the time of his passing.
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