Doctor Refutes Partying Rumors, Reveals Diogo Jota’s Final Hours Before Fatal Crash
New details have emerged surrounding the tragic death of Diogo Jota, with the doctor who last saw him shedding light on the footballer’s final hours and refuting damaging rumors circulating online.
Dr. Miguel Goncalves, of São João Hospital in Porto, was one of the last people to speak with Jota, just five hours before the fatal accident. Jota had been recovering from a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) and had undergone surgery shortly after helping Portugal defeat Spain in the Nations League earlier this month. Despite his condition, Jota’s dedication to the national team left many in awe.
On the night of July 3, Jota and his younger brother André Silva, 26, were driving a Lamborghini Huracan north through Spain, aiming to catch a ferry from Santander to England—a safer option recommended by doctors instead of flying.
In an interview with Portuguese outlet Record, Dr. Goncalves recalled, “I said goodbye to Jota and André around 8:30 p.m. André was a great support, wanting to spend more time with his brother. They planned to drive at night when it was cooler, with a stopover near Burgos before reaching Santander the next day.”
He vehemently denied rumors that the brothers had been partying prior to the crash, “It pains me to see such baseless speculation. There was no partying, no reckless behavior. Jota was a true professional who followed every medical instruction. He had nothing to be ashamed of.”
Dr. Goncalves also shared that Jota was optimistic about his recovery and the upcoming season, “He told me he wouldn’t join the Japan preseason tour to focus on healing. He believed it would be a great season, and I believed him.”
The crash occurred at 12:35 a.m. on the A-52 near Cernadilla, just 10 miles from the Portuguese border. Authorities suspect a tire burst while overtaking, causing the Lamborghini to veer off-road, flip multiple times, and burst into flames. Both brothers died at the scene.
Jota’s funeral will begin at 3:00 p.m. on July 4 in São Cosme, with the burial ceremony scheduled for the next morning at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, near Porto ironically the same church where Jota and his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso were married just two weeks earlier.
Jota and Rute had been together since they were 16 and shared three children. Their sudden separation has left the football community devastated. Tributes and flowers have poured in outside Anfield, with fans mourning not just a brilliant athlete but a devoted family man and role model.
Police have not yet confirmed which brother was behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Regardless, Jota’s legacy remains intact—a footballer of immense talent and a man of unwavering integrity.
