Rute Cardoso, the widow of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, has revealed the content of the last text message she sent to her husband before his fatal car crash in his official biography. The message was sent shortly before the accident, when Jota was driving a Lamborghini on a highway in northern Spain. The vehicle then lost control, crashed off the road, and burst into flames, killing both him and his brother André Silva.
In the text, Cardoso wrote that she had just received their wedding video and asked Jota to contact her after parking: "My love, call me when you stop. I have something I want to show you." However, this message was never seen by Jota. After noticing his prolonged silence, Cardoso contacted the hotel where they were scheduled to stay, then called hospitals, police, and even reached out to a truck driver relative familiar with the Spanish traffic police system for help.
This content will be included in Jota's official biography "Nunca Mais é Muito Tempo (Never Again Is a Long Time)", written by former footballer José Manuel Delgado and set to be published in Portugal on April 9.
Jota was just 28 years old at the time of his death and a father of three children. Before the accident, he had just married his childhood sweetheart Cardoso in Porto, Portugal, only 11 days earlier. Having undergone surgery recently, he was advised by doctors not to fly and thus chose to drive back to Liverpool.
In another part of the biography, Cardoso recalled: “Unlike most players who love luxury cars, jewelry, and watches, Diogo never belonged to that category. The cars we already had at home were more than enough for him. Perhaps because he wasn't particularly obsessed with cars, he wanted to experience driving a Ferrari. In fact, that Ferrari had already been returned on the morning of our wedding day. After that, he went to rent that Lamborghini.”
Jota's father recalled in the book that he received a panicked call from Cardoso that night asking him to come over, and he immediately had a bad premonition. He later learned the tragic news on his way there and back, describing it as "the worst, most unbearable moment". His mother stated that she had messaged André at 23:23 that night to ask about their journey but never received a reply. She waited for news while watching TV until she was informed of their deaths at her daughter-in-law's home. Additionally, Jota's grandfather revealed that he learned about the accident through television.
Police investigations previously indicated that the accident might have been related to speeding and a tire blowout. The Spanish Civil Guard stated that the vehicle may have suffered a tire burst while overtaking, then lost control and caught fire, killing both occupants instantly. The relevant report has been submitted to the judge but not made public. Local residents have also questioned the road conditions at the accident site.
Jota previously played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and joined Liverpool in 2020. His biography also includes memories from various figures including Liverpool manager Arne Slot, former manager Jürgen Klopp, Portugal national team coach Roberto Martínez, and players like Luis Díaz and Bernardo Silva.
The publisher stated that the book is based on accounts from approximately 90 relevant individuals, aiming to present Jota's career and life experiences in a restrained and respectful manner, showcasing both his achievements as a player and his true self as an ordinary person.
