Nearly a year after a fiery highway crash claimed the lives of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, Spanish authorities have determined that no criminal charges will be filed in connection with the tragedy that shook the global soccer community.
Investigators concluded the fatal accident resulted from a tire blowout on the Lamborghini Huracán the brothers were traveling in, not from negligence or criminal conduct. The High Court of Justice in Zamora province announced the ruling April 24, 2026, formally ending the criminal probe into the July 3, 2025, crash on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla in northern Spain. According to investigators, the high-performance vehicle suffered the blowout while passing another car, then collided with a central barrier and erupted in flames.
Jota was 28 when he died, and Silva was 25. The two brothers were traveling to Santander, a port city on Spain’s northern coast, to board a ferry bound for the UK. Jota needed to return to England before Liverpool’s pre-season training began, but doctors had advised against air travel following lung surgery he had undergone earlier that summer.
Legal Decision Made Months Ago
Although the court publicly announced its decision in April 2026, the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Castilla y León revealed the dismissal had actually been completed months prior. “The Court of First Instance in Puebla de Sanabria dismissed the case last November after assessing the documentary evidence in the file and, in particular, the expert reports issued by the Civil Guard’s Traffic Unit,” the court said in a statement.
While criminal proceedings have ended, officials noted that civil litigation seeking damages remains available to those impacted by the crash.
A Star at the Height of Success
The tragedy struck just weeks after Jota completed the finest season of his professional career. He had won the Premier League championship with Liverpool — the club’s record-equalling 20th league title — and captured the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal in the same year. Playing for manager Arne Slot’s title-winning squad, the forward contributed six goals and four assists across 26 league matches.
Liverpool acquired Jota from Wolverhampton Wanderers in summer 2020 for a fee that could reach £45 million ($58 million). He had previously helped Wolves earn promotion to the Premier League two years before that transfer. During five seasons at Anfield, he won four trophies and earned deep affection from the club’s fanbase.
Silva had built his own career in professional soccer, competing for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second tier when the accident occurred. Both brothers developed through FC Porto’s youth academy, where they formed a strong connection both as teammates and siblings.
Devastating Loss for Young Family
The accident came just 11 days after Jota wed his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso in a church ceremony in Porto, Portugal. He is survived by Cardoso and their three children — sons Dinis and Duarte, and a daughter.
A funeral service for the brothers took place July 5 at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Gondomar, their hometown. Manager Arne Slot made the journey to Portugal alongside Liverpool players and staff members. Club captain Virgil van Dijk brought a wreath designed to resemble a football shirt with Jota’s number 20, while Andy Robertson — who shared a close friendship with Jota — carried a wreath featuring the number 30 that Silva wore for Penafiel.
Unprecedented Tribute From Liverpool
In an unprecedented move spanning the club’s 133-year history, Liverpool permanently retired the No. 20 jersey across all its teams in Jota’s memory. Supporters have maintained a tradition of applauding during the 20th minute of every home match this season, match reports show.
Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s ownership, committed to supporting Cardoso and the children financially, agreeing to honour Jota’s contract through its scheduled 2027 expiration. The contract reportedly paid £140,000 per week.
In December 2025, when Liverpool hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jota’s former team, sons Dinis and Duarte walked onto the Anfield pitch as mascots beside captain Van Dijk. The emotional moment moved supporters from both clubs to tears. Cardoso publicly expressed gratitude to fans for their compassion afterward.
Though the Spanish court’s determination provides legal resolution to the investigation, the soccer world continues to mourn the loss of both brothers. The grief endures for Liverpool’s supporters, the families left behind, and the millions worldwide who witnessed Jota reach the summit of European football in his final, championship-winning season.
