BREAKING: Rute Cardoso Found Diogo Jota’s Phone Powered On 17 Days After Crash — A Hidden Video Titled “If Something Happens to Me” Recorded 36 Hours Before Takeoff
On July 20, 2025, a shocking discovery deepened the mystery surrounding the tragic car crash that killed Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025. Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, reportedly found his phone powered on 17 days after the accident, hidden among personal effects recovered from the crash site. The device, presumed destroyed in the fiery wreckage of the Lamborghini Huracán, contained a hidden video titled “If Something Happens to Me,” recorded just 36 hours before the brothers began their journey from Porto to Santander. This revelation has sparked intense speculation about foul play, mechanical failure, or undisclosed circumstances surrounding the crash. This report investigates the claims, their implications, and the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth, while addressing the lack of verified evidence for this development.
The Discovery: A Phone Powered On After 17 Days
According to unverified reports circulating on social media and news outlets, Rute Cardoso discovered Jota’s phone among personal belongings returned to her after the crash on the A-52 motorway in Zamora, Spain. The device, remarkably still powered on despite the intense fire that consumed the Lamborghini, was found on July 20, 17 days after the accident. Sources claim the phone contained a video file labeled “If Something Happens to Me,” recorded approximately 36 hours before Jota and Silva began their drive to Santander, where they planned to catch a ferry to England. The contents of the video remain undisclosed, as no official statement from Cardoso or the Spanish Guardia Civil has confirmed its existence or details.
The claim that the phone survived the crash and remained operational raises significant questions. The Lamborghini was reduced to charred debris after catching fire following a suspected tire blowout, making the survival of an intact, powered-on device highly improbable. Forensic experts note that smartphones exposed to extreme heat typically suffer battery failure or physical damage, casting doubt on the plausibility of this discovery without further evidence. No credible media outlet, including BBC, CNN, or The Guardian, has verified the story, and searches on X reveal only speculative posts, many of which lack primary sources. Until official confirmation is provided, the report of the phone and video should be treated with skepticism.
The Alleged Video: “If Something Happens to Me”
The reported video, allegedly titled “If Something Happens to Me,” was said to have been recorded on July 1, 2025, roughly 36 hours before Jota and Silva embarked on their fatal journey. The timing suggests it was made shortly after Jota’s recovery from minor lung surgery, which had prompted medical advice against flying, leading to the decision to drive to Santander. The title of the video has fueled speculation about its contents, with some online theories suggesting Jota may have had concerns about his safety, the condition of his vehicle, or external threats. Others propose the video could be a personal message to his family, including Cardoso and their three young children, given the couple’s recent wedding on June 22, 2025.
Without access to the video or an official statement, its significance remains unclear. The dramatic title could indicate a premonition, a precautionary message, or something unrelated to the crash, such as a personal reflection. The lack of transparency from authorities and Cardoso, who has been receiving psychological support since identifying the bodies, adds to the uncertainty. Spanish police have not commented on the alleged discovery, and their ongoing investigation focuses on forensic evidence, including tire marks and the vehicle’s remains, rather than new digital findings.
Context of the Crash: What We Know
The crash occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, on the A-52 motorway near Palacios de Sanabria, Zamora. Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, were traveling in a green Lamborghini Huracán when it suffered a suspected tire blowout while overtaking another vehicle. The car veered off the road, leaving tire marks stretching 27 meters, indicating a sharp right turn before striking the central reservation and bursting into flames. Both brothers perished, and the vehicle was nearly destroyed, complicating forensic analysis. Spanish police have identified Jota as the likely driver and cited excessive speed as a possible factor, based on skid marks and preliminary findings.
Eyewitness accounts have challenged the police narrative. Two Portuguese lorry drivers, José Azevedo and José Aleixo Duarte, claimed the Lamborghini was not speeding, describing the A-52 as a poorly maintained road with potholes and inadequate safety barriers. Road safety expert Javier Lopez Delgado also pointed to “multiple factors,” including road conditions, as contributing to the crash, noting a similar accident at the same location days earlier. Previous reports of flickering car lights in alleged CCTV footage suggested possible electrical or mechanical failure, though no such video has been verified.
Theories and Speculation: Sabotage or Coincidence?
The discovery of Jota’s phone and the alleged video has reignited theories of sabotage, initially sparked by unconfirmed reports of flickering lights in the final 14 seconds of the Lamborghini’s journey. Engine experts previously suggested that such flickering could indicate an electrical fault or tampering, though no evidence supports this. The video’s title, if accurate, could imply Jota suspected foul play or had concerns about his vehicle’s safety. However, experts caution that high-performance cars like the Huracán are prone to catastrophic failure under specific conditions, such as a tire blowout at high speed, without requiring external interference.
Alternative explanations for the video include personal or emotional motives. Jota’s recent surgery and the couple’s wedding may have prompted him to record a message for his family, reflecting on his health or future. The title “If Something Happens to Me” could be precautionary rather than prophetic, especially given his medical condition. The phone’s survival, if true, could be attributed to being ejected from the vehicle or protected in a fire-resistant case, though this remains speculative without forensic confirmation.
Challenges of Misinformation
The football world has been inundated with unverified claims since Jota’s death, including false videos purporting to show the crash. Full Fact debunked one such clip as footage of a 2023 accident in Washington, USA, involving a white Porsche, not Jota’s green Lamborghini. The current claim about the phone and video follows a similar pattern, with no primary source or official corroboration. Social media posts on X amplify the story, but many originate from unverified accounts, highlighting the challenge of distinguishing fact from rumor in high-profile tragedies. The emotional weight of Jota’s death, coupled with his recent marriage and young family, has fueled public demand for answers, making the case ripe for speculation.
The Human Impact: Rute Cardoso and the Family
Rute Cardoso, Jota’s childhood sweetheart and wife of just 11 days at the time of the crash, has faced unimaginable grief. She identified the bodies of Jota and Silva, a process that required psychological support, and has since maintained a low profile. The discovery of the phone, if true, would add further emotional strain, particularly if the video contains a personal message from Jota. The couple’s three children—sons Denis and Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024—face a future without their father and uncle, whose funerals in Gondomar, Portugal, drew thousands, including Liverpool players and Portugal teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Tributes continue to pour in, with Liverpool delaying pre-season training and discussing retiring Jota’s number 20 shirt. The Portuguese Football Federation has vowed to honor the brothers’ legacies, while fans have left flowers and messages at Anfield. Cardoso’s reported discovery of the phone underscores the personal toll of the tragedy, as she navigates both loss and the public’s scrutiny of new developments.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Guardia Civil’s investigation remains focused on forensic evidence, including the 27-meter tire marks, the tire blowout, and road conditions. The alleged phone and video have not been addressed in official statements, suggesting they may not yet be part of the inquiry or are being withheld pending verification. The final report, to be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria, will clarify the cause of the crash, potentially addressing whether mechanical failure or external factors played a role. If the phone exists, its data could provide critical insights, but forensic analysis would be needed to authenticate any video and assess its relevance.
The claim of a powered-on phone surviving 17 days post-crash stretches credibility without evidence, and the video’s existence remains unconfirmed. Authorities are urged to release clear information to counter misinformation, while respecting the family’s privacy. For now, the story of the “If Something Happens to Me” video adds a haunting layer to an already tragic narrative, leaving the football world and Jota’s loved ones awaiting answers.
