Diogo Jota’s Final Hours: The Mysterious €47,000 Cash Withdrawal

On the morning of July 2, 2025, Diogo Jota, the celebrated Liverpool and Portugal forward, was captured on CCTV footage withdrawing exactly €47,000 in cash from a bank in Porto, Portugal. The footage, which has since surfaced online, shows the 28-year-old footballer placing an object wrapped in cloth into the glove compartment of his acid green Lamborghini Huracan before driving off. Less than 24 hours later, Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, perished in a tragic car accident on the A-52 motorway in Zamora, Spain. The circumstances surrounding the cash withdrawal and the mysterious object have sparked widespread speculation, adding a layer of intrigue to an already heartbreaking story. This article explores the events leading up to the crash, the significance of the €47,000 withdrawal, and the questions that remain unanswered.

A Rising Star’s Untimely End

Diogo Jota was a household name in the football world, known for his tenacity, skill, and infectious smile. Born in Porto in 1996, he rose through the ranks of Portuguese football, making his professional debut with Paços de Ferreira before stints at Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 2020, he joined Liverpool FC for £41 million, where he became a fan favorite, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and helping the club secure the Premier League title, FA Cup, and two EFL Cups. Jota also earned 49 caps for Portugal, contributing to their UEFA Nations League victories in 2019 and 2025. His younger brother, André Silva, 25, was a professional footballer for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division, carving out his own path in the sport.

The brothers’ lives were cut short in the early hours of July 3, 2025, when their Lamborghini Huracan veered off the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, and burst into flames. Spanish authorities reported that a suspected tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver caused the car to lose control, roll, and ignite, killing both occupants. The tragedy, which occurred just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, sent shockwaves through the football community. Tributes poured in from teammates, fans, and global figures, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and even Prince William.

The €47,000 Withdrawal: A Curious Detail

The revelation that Jota withdrew €47,000 in cash the day before the crash has raised eyebrows. According to reports from Portuguese media, corroborated by CCTV footage, Jota visited a bank in Porto on July 2, 2025, to make the withdrawal. The exact amount—€47,000—has drawn attention for its specificity, prompting questions about its purpose. The footage shows Jota, dressed casually, completing the transaction before returning to his Lamborghini. Notably, he is seen placing a cloth-wrapped object, speculated to be the cash or another item, into the glove compartment of the vehicle before driving away.

This detail has fueled speculation on social media and in the press. Some have suggested the withdrawal could be linked to a planned purchase, a debt settlement, or even a personal matter, but no official confirmation has emerged. The fact that Jota and his brother were traveling to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK—reportedly due to medical advice against flying after Jota’s recent lung surgery—adds context to their journey but does little to explain the cash. The A-52 motorway, where the crash occurred, is a known route for travelers heading to Santander, but its poor condition and history of speeding violations have also come under scrutiny.

Conflicting Accounts of the Crash

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with conflicting narratives adding to the mystery. Spanish police, specifically the Guardia Civil in Zamora, initially reported that Jota was likely driving and possibly speeding, based on tyre marks extending 100 meters from the point of impact. They suggested the Lamborghini was traveling above the 120 km/h (74 mph) speed limit when the tyre blowout occurred, causing the car to veer off the road and catch fire. However, two lorry drivers who witnessed the incident have disputed this claim. José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo, both Portuguese, stated that the Lamborghini was traveling at a “moderate speed” and that the road’s poor condition—described as dark, poorly maintained, and prone to accidents—likely contributed to the tragedy. Azevedo, who filmed the burning wreckage, emphasized that he attempted to help but was unable to save the brothers.

The debate over speed and road conditions has intensified scrutiny of the A-52, which reportedly recorded nearly 15,000 speeding fines in 2020. Spanish road safety expert Javier Lopez Delgado has pointed to “multiple factors,” including speed and road faults, as potential contributors to the crash. The ongoing investigation, expected to be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria, may clarify these discrepancies, but for now, the exact circumstances remain uncertain.

The Cloth-Wrapped Object: What Was It?

The CCTV footage of Jota placing a cloth-wrapped object in the glove compartment has become a focal point of speculation. While some assume it was the €47,000 in cash, others question whether it could be something else entirely. The object’s size and shape, as seen in the grainy footage, are difficult to discern, and authorities have not confirmed its contents. The fact that the car was reduced to charred debris complicates any effort to recover or identify the item. Theories range from the mundane—such as the cash being intended for a transaction in Santander—to the speculative, with some online commentators suggesting it could be linked to a personal or business dealing gone awry.

Jota’s recent wedding and his status as a high-earning footballer (£140,000 per week) add complexity to the narrative. His social media posts, including a heartfelt montage of his June 22 wedding to Rute Cardoso, painted a picture of a man at the peak of personal and professional fulfillment. The couple’s three young children—Dinis, Duarte, and an infant daughter—were featured in family photos, underscoring the profound loss felt by their loved ones. The timing of the withdrawal, just hours before the ill-fated journey, has led some to wonder if it was connected to their travel plans or an unforeseen event.

Tributes and Legacy

The football world has united in grief over the loss of Diogo Jota and André Silva. Liverpool FC, where Jota was a beloved figure, issued a statement expressing devastation and requesting privacy for the family. Fans gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers, scarves, and messages, including a placard reading “Diogo lives forever.” A minute’s silence was held at the UEFA Women’s Euros match between Portugal and Spain, and tributes came from global icons like LeBron James and Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. Liverpool is reportedly considering retiring Jota’s number 20 shirt, a rare honor that would cement his legacy at the club.

The brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5, 2025, drew hundreds of mourners, including Liverpool teammates Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Portugal’s Rúben Neves. The ceremony, held at Igreja Matriz, was a poignant farewell to two young men described as “champions” by the Portuguese Football Federation. Jota’s former teammate Conor Coady called him “an amazing husband, father, and footballer,” while manager Arne Slot vowed to “celebrate Diogo’s goals and sing his song” when the time is right.

Unanswered Questions

As the investigation continues, the €47,000 withdrawal and the cloth-wrapped object remain enigmatic. Was the cash intended for a specific purpose, or was it simply a precaution for the journey? What was the object placed in the glove compartment, and could it hold clues to the brothers’ final hours? The absence of definitive answers has fueled online misinformation, with false videos claiming to show the crash circulating on social media. Fact-checking outlets like Full Fact have debunked these clips, emphasizing the need for reliable information during such a sensitive time.

Diogo Jota’s death, alongside his brother André Silva, is a tragedy that transcends football. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the €47,000 withdrawal and the cloth-wrapped object may never be fully resolved, but they underscore the fragility of life and the enduring impact of a man who was, in the words of his manager, “a friend to everyone.” As Liverpool and the global football community mourn, Jota’s legacy as a player, husband, father, and brother will endure, forever etched in the hearts of those he touched.