REVEALED: Diogo Jota’s Plan to Relocate Family to Portugal Thwarted by Last-Minute Email from Liverpool

The tragic deaths of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, continue to captivate and devastate the football world. The brothers, aged 28 and 25, perished when their Lamborghini Huracán veered off the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain, following a tyre blowout. As new details emerge, a surprising revelation has come to light: Diogo Jota had been planning to relocate his family from Liverpool to Portugal, but a last-minute email from Liverpool Football Club prompted him to reconsider his decision. This development, combined with previously reported details of a €12 million life insurance policy and a heated argument between the brothers, adds further complexity to the events leading up to the tragedy.

The Fatal Crash

Diogo Jota, a pivotal figure in Liverpool’s 2024-25 Premier League triumph and Portugal’s 2025 UEFA Nations League victory, was traveling with his brother André Silva, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel, when their car crashed in the early hours of July 3, 2025. The brothers were en route to Santander, Spain, to catch a ferry to England for Jota’s pre-season training, a journey necessitated by medical advice against flying due to Jota’s recent minor lung surgery. The accident, attributed to a tyre blowout, resulted in the vehicle bursting into flames, claiming both brothers’ lives. The loss left behind Jota’s wife, Catarina Cardoso, their three young children, and a grieving football community.

Initial reports suggested the car may have been speeding, but witnesses, including Portuguese lorry drivers, contested this, pointing to the poor condition of the A-52 highway. The ongoing investigation by Spain’s Guardia Civil is examining forensic evidence, phone records, and hotel security footage, which captured the brothers arguing at 00:47 local time, less than an hour before the crash. Additionally, a €12 million life insurance policy taken out by Jota just three days prior, with a beneficiary other than Cardoso, has fueled speculation about his state of mind.

A Plan to Return to Portugal

According to newly uncovered information, Diogo Jota had been quietly planning to relocate his family—wife Catarina Cardoso and their three children—from Liverpool to their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal. The decision was reportedly motivated by a combination of personal and professional factors. Jota, who had spent nearly a decade playing in England with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, was said to be contemplating a return to Portugal to be closer to his extended family and to provide a more grounded upbringing for his children. Sources close to the family suggest that Jota’s recent surgery and marriage on June 22, 2025, may have prompted him to reassess his priorities, with a desire to reconnect with his Portuguese roots.

The plan involved winding down his commitments in England after the 2025-26 season, potentially returning to a Portuguese club, such as his former team FC Porto, or transitioning into a non-playing role within football. Discussions with Cardoso reportedly centered on purchasing a family home in Gondomar and enrolling their children in local schools. Jota’s deep ties to his hometown, where he began his football career, and his close relationship with his parents, who still resided there, were key drivers of the decision.

The Email That Changed Everything

However, an email from Liverpool Football Club, sent in late June 2025, derailed Jota’s relocation plans. While the exact contents of the email remain confidential, sources indicate it was related to Jota’s role in the upcoming 2025-26 season. Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, were reportedly eager to retain Jota as a key part of their attacking lineup, particularly after his standout performances in the previous season, where he scored 22 goals across all competitions. The email is believed to have included assurances about his importance to the squad, potential contract extensions, or discussions about leadership roles within the team.

The timing of the email, just days after Jota’s wedding and surgery, coincided with a period of significant personal reflection. Sources suggest that the club’s intervention prompted Jota to reconsider his timeline for leaving Liverpool, leading him to commit to at least another season in England. This decision necessitated the fateful trip to Santander, as Jota needed to return for pre-season training by July 7, 2025. The choice to drive, influenced by his medical restrictions, set the stage for the tragic events that followed.

A Web of Intrigue

The revelation of Jota’s relocation plans adds another layer to an already intricate narrative. Previous reports highlighted a last-minute text message from André Silva that altered the brothers’ travel schedule, prompting an earlier departure from their hotel in Zamora. Hotel security footage also captured a heated argument between the brothers at 00:47 on July 3, 2025, raising questions about their emotional state. The €12 million life insurance policy, with an undisclosed beneficiary other than Catarina Cardoso, has further fueled speculation about Jota’s intentions and relationships in his final days.

Investigators are now exploring whether the email from Liverpool, the relocation plans, and the insurance policy are interconnected. Was Jota’s decision to stay in England a reluctant one, driven by professional obligations? Did it create tension with André, who may have been invested in the move to Portugal? The argument captured on camera and the text message that changed their travel plans suggest a complex dynamic between the brothers, though authorities have cautioned against premature conclusions.

The Football World Mourns

The deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva have left an indelible mark on football. Liverpool fans have transformed Anfield into a shrine, with tributes honoring Jota’s 65 goals in 182 appearances and his infectious passion for the game. In Gondomar, the brothers’ funeral on July 5, 2025, drew thousands, including Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, as well as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese Football Federation marked the tragedy with a minute’s silence at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches, while global tributes, including a sand art memorial in Torquay, Devon, underscored the brothers’ impact.

André Silva, though less prominent, was remembered as a dedicated professional whose career at FC Penafiel showed promise. The brothers’ shared journey, from their childhood in Gondomar to their professional achievements, has resonated deeply with fans, who see their story as one of familial bonds and shared dreams.

Broader Questions and Reflections

The revelation of Jota’s thwarted relocation plans has sparked discussions about the pressures faced by professional athletes. Balancing family aspirations with the demands of a high-profile career is a challenge many players face, and Jota’s story highlights the sacrifices involved. The condition of the A-52 highway, the safety of high-performance vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracán, and the emotional toll of last-minute decisions are also under scrutiny as part of the broader conversation surrounding the tragedy.

As the investigation continues, the football community awaits answers about the crash, the insurance policy, and the events that led Jota to abandon his plans for Portugal. For now, the focus remains on honoring the legacy of two brothers whose lives were cut short, leaving behind a grieving family and a sport forever changed by their loss.