JUST RELEASED: Seven Missed Calls on Diogo Jota’s Phone Add New Twist to Fatal Crash Investigation

On July 3, 2025, the football community was devastated by the tragic deaths of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on the A-52 motorway near Zamora, Spain. The incident, which occurred around 12:30 a.m., involved a Lamborghini Huracan that suffered a tire blowout, veered off the road, and burst into flames. As the investigation into the crash continues, a new development has emerged: Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, reportedly discovered seven missed calls from an unknown Spanish number on Jota’s locked phone, all made between 2:11 a.m. and 2:39 a.m.—well after the time of the crash. This revelation, combined with the earlier discovery of a second set of car keys in Jota’s jacket, has deepened the mystery surrounding the incident and prompted investigators to intensify their efforts.

The Crash and Initial Findings

The fatal accident occurred as Jota and Silva were traveling from Porto, Portugal, to Santander, Spain, to catch a ferry to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. Jota, who had recently undergone lung surgery, had been advised against flying, necessitating the road trip. According to the Guardia Civil, the Lamborghini was overtaking another vehicle when a tire blowout caused it to lose control, crash into the central reservation, and ignite. The fire was so intense that it destroyed most of the vehicle, complicating forensic analysis. Initial police reports suggested that Jota was likely driving and that excessive speed may have been a factor, with tire marks stretching 100 meters from the impact site indicating a high-speed collision.

However, two truck drivers who witnessed the crash, José Azevedo and José Aleixo Duarte, disputed the speeding claims, asserting that the Lamborghini was traveling at a “moderate speed” and that the A-52’s poor road conditions may have contributed to the accident. These conflicting accounts have already cast doubt on the official narrative, and the new information about the missed calls adds further complexity.

The Missed Calls: A New Clue

According to a recently released report, Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife of just 11 days, accessed his locked phone after the crash and discovered seven missed calls from an unknown Spanish number, all placed between 2:11 a.m. and 2:39 a.m. on July 3, 2025. The timing of these calls is significant, as the crash is believed to have occurred around 12:30 a.m., meaning the calls were made nearly two hours later. This raises critical questions: Who was attempting to contact Jota after his death? Was the phone in the wreckage, or was it recovered elsewhere? And could these calls be related to the second set of car keys found in Jota’s jacket, which suggested the possibility of another vehicle or individual involved?

The identity of the caller remains unknown, and Spanish authorities have not yet commented on whether they have traced the number. However, the discovery has prompted investigators to broaden their scope, reexamining surveillance footage from three gas stations near the crash site in Cernadilla, Zamora, where they were already searching for clues related to the second set of keys. The calls could indicate that someone was aware of the crash or attempting to locate Jota and Silva, potentially shedding light on their activities or interactions in the hours leading up to the accident.

Potential Implications of the Missed Calls

The seven missed calls introduce several possibilities. One theory is that they could be linked to a scam, such as the “one-ring” phone scam, where scammers place brief calls to prompt victims to call back, incurring high international charges. However, this seems unlikely, as the calls were made persistently over a 28-minute period and well after the crash, when Jota would have been unable to respond. Moreover, the number’s Spanish origin suggests a local connection, given the crash occurred in Spain.

Another possibility is that the calls were from someone who knew Jota or Silva and was trying to reach them, perhaps unaware of the crash. This could point to an unreported stop the brothers made en route, as Cardoso told police they planned to spend the night in Benavente before continuing to Santander. Surveillance footage from the gas stations could reveal whether the brothers interacted with anyone who might have obtained Jota’s number. Alternatively, the calls could be related to the second set of keys, suggesting the involvement of another vehicle or person that has not yet been accounted for in the investigation.

The Second Set of Keys: A Continuing Enigma

The earlier discovery of a second set of car keys in Jota’s jacket, despite only one vehicle being reported at the scene, already raised questions about the crash’s circumstances. Investigators are exploring whether the keys belonged to another car that was traveling with or near the Lamborghini, or if they were unrelated to the incident. The missed calls could provide a crucial link, potentially indicating communication with someone associated with a second vehicle. The Guardia Civil is now cross-referencing the phone records with the surveillance footage to identify any connections.

Rute Cardoso’s Role and Emotional Toll

Rute Cardoso, who identified the bodies of Jota and Silva after the crash, has been thrust into the center of this tragedy. The discovery of the missed calls on Jota’s phone, which she accessed as part of the investigation, has added to her burden. Having married Jota on June 22, 2025, just days before the accident, Cardoso is now a widow raising their three young children—Dinis (4), Duarte (2), and an eight-month-old daughter. Her emotional tribute on Instagram, posted on July 22, marked what would have been their one-month wedding anniversary, underscoring the depth of her loss.

Cardoso’s cooperation with authorities, including providing details about the brothers’ travel plans, has been vital to the investigation. Her discovery of the missed calls has given investigators a new lead, but it also highlights the personal toll of revisiting the events surrounding her husband’s death.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

The Guardia Civil is preparing a comprehensive report for a court in Puebla de Sanabria, which will include analysis of the tire marks, vehicle wreckage, and now, the phone records and gas station surveillance footage. The missed calls have prompted authorities to consider whether additional parties were involved or aware of the brothers’ journey. They are also investigating whether the unknown Spanish number can be traced to a specific individual or location, which could clarify its relevance.

The football world continues to mourn Jota and Silva, with Liverpool FC retiring Jota’s number 20 shirt and inducting him into their hall of fame. Tributes from teammates, including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Cristiano Ronaldo, reflect the profound impact of their loss. As the investigation unfolds, the hope is that the missed calls and the second set of keys will provide answers to the lingering questions, offering closure to Cardoso, the Jota family, and their global fanbase.

A Tragedy Shrouded in Mystery

The discovery of seven missed calls from an unknown Spanish number on Diogo Jota’s phone, made hours after his fatal crash, has added a haunting dimension to an already heartbreaking case. Combined with the second set of car keys, these clues suggest that the full story of the July 3 tragedy may still be unfolding. As investigators delve deeper, the football community holds its breath, hoping for clarity in a case that has left a void in the sport and in the lives of those who loved Diogo Jota and André Silva.