Eerie Child’s Drawing Found in Diogo Jota’s Backpack Sparks Questions After Tragic Crash

On July 3, 2025, the football world was rocked by the tragic deaths of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on the A-52 motorway near Zamora, Spain. The accident, which occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time, saw their Lamborghini Huracán veer off the road, roll, and burst into flames, reportedly due to a tire blowout while overtaking. Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a grieving family, including Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children. The loss sent shockwaves through the global football community, with tributes pouring in from teammates, rivals, and fans alike. However, a chilling new detail has emerged that adds an unsettling layer to this already heartbreaking story: a child’s drawing found in Jota’s backpack, depicting a plane engulfed in flames with a figure labeled “DAD?” circled in red as the only one unharmed, dated the day of the crash.

The Tragic Crash: A Recap

Diogo Jota, a beloved Portuguese forward who played a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph in 2025, was traveling with his brother André Silva, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel, when their high-performance Lamborghini crashed on a rural stretch of the A-52 motorway. Spanish authorities, including the Civil Guard, have indicated that Jota was likely driving and may have been exceeding the speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph). Initial reports suggested a tire blowout caused the vehicle to lose control, careen into the central reservation, and ignite, with flames spreading to nearby vegetation. Emergency services were unable to save the brothers, whose identities were confirmed via the vehicle’s license plate.

The brothers were reportedly en route to Santander to catch a ferry to England, as Jota had been advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure. This detail, reported by Portuguese media, underscored Jota’s cautious approach to his recovery, making the tragedy all the more poignant. Just 11 days prior, Jota had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in a joyous ceremony in Porto, surrounded by family and friends. The couple, parents to two sons, Denis and Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024, had shared heartfelt wedding photos on social media, with Jota describing the day as “one we will never forget.”

The Haunting Discovery

In the days following the crash, investigators combing through the wreckage made a startling discovery: a child’s drawing tucked inside Jota’s backpack, which had been recovered from the scene. The drawing, reportedly created with crayons and markers, depicts a plane engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing from its fuselage. Amid the chaos of the scene, one figure stands out—a person circled in red, unharmed by the fire, with the word “DAD?” scrawled in a child’s unsteady handwriting. Most chillingly, the back of the drawing bears a date: July 3, 2025—the day of the fatal crash.

The drawing’s imagery is particularly striking given the circumstances of Jota’s death. While the crash involved a car, not a plane, the depiction of flames eerily mirrors the fiery accident that claimed the brothers’ lives. The label “DAD?” suggests the drawing may have been created by one of Jota’s young children, possibly Denis or Duarte, both under four years old. The fact that Jota was carrying this drawing in his backpack adds a layer of mystery: was it a recent gift from his child, or had it been tucked away unnoticed? The date matching the crash day has fueled speculation about whether the drawing holds some deeper significance.

Theories and Speculation

The discovery has sparked intense discussion online and among fans, with theories ranging from the emotional to the supernatural. Some believe the drawing reflects a child’s innocent expression of fear or imagination, perhaps inspired by Jota’s recent medical advice against flying. The image of a burning plane could symbolize a young child’s anxiety about their father’s safety during travel, with the circled “DAD?” figure representing a hope that he would remain unharmed. Jota’s decision to travel by car and ferry, rather than plane, may have been a precaution that inadvertently aligned with the drawing’s imagery.

Others have ventured into more speculative territory, suggesting the drawing could be a premonition or coincidence with uncanny parallels to the tragedy. Social media platforms, particularly X, have buzzed with posts about the “eerie” and “heartbreaking” find, with users sharing their shock and sadness. One post read, “A child’s drawing of a plane on fire, dated the day of Jota’s crash? That’s beyond haunting. Poor family.” While no official confirmation has linked the drawing directly to Jota’s children, the emotional weight of the discovery has resonated deeply with fans mourning the loss of a player known for his devotion to his family.

The Investigation and Contradictions

Spanish police continue to investigate the crash, with a preliminary report suggesting Jota was driving and possibly speeding. Forensic analysis of tire marks and vehicle damage supports the theory of a high-speed tire blowout, though the exact speed remains under review. However, a Portuguese truck driver, Jose Azevedo, who witnessed the crash and attempted to extinguish the flames, has disputed the speeding claims. Azevedo, who filmed the burning wreckage, insisted the Lamborghini was traveling “calmly” and not exceeding the speed limit. His account has added complexity to the narrative, raising questions about the road’s condition, which a local expert described as having “many faults.”

The drawing’s discovery has not been officially addressed by investigators, but its existence has been reported by multiple outlets, suggesting it was found among Jota’s personal effects. The backpack, likely containing items for the ferry trip, survived the fire sufficiently for the drawing to be recovered intact. Whether the drawing will play a role in the investigation—perhaps as a clue to Jota’s state of mind or travel plans—remains unclear.

A Family Man and Football Icon

Jota’s death has left an indelible mark on Liverpool FC and the broader football community. Known as “Jota the slotter” for his clinical finishing, he scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups. His final match was Portugal’s UEFA Nations League victory over Spain in June 2025, a moment of pride just weeks before his wedding. Tributes from teammates like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Cristiano Ronaldo highlighted Jota’s warmth, humility, and infectious joy. Former manager Jürgen Klopp called him “a great friend, a loving husband, and a doting dad,” words that resonate even more in light of the drawing.

The funeral in Gondomar, held on July 5, saw an outpouring of grief, with Liverpool stars and Portuguese football luminaries carrying floral tributes shaped like Jota’s No. 20 shirt. Rute Cardoso, visibly devastated, helped carry her husband’s coffin, a heart-wrenching image that captured the depth of the family’s loss. The drawing, while not mentioned at the service, has become a poignant symbol of Jota’s role as a father, carried with him even in his final moments.

A Lasting Legacy

The child’s drawing, with its haunting imagery and unanswered questions, adds a layer of tragedy to an already devastating loss. Whether a coincidence, a child’s expression of fear, or something more inexplicable, it underscores the personal side of Jota’s life—a man who, despite his fame, was defined by his love for his family. As Liverpool prepares for the new season without one of its stars, and as Rute and their children face an unimaginable future, the drawing serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring bond between a father and his children.

The football world will remember Diogo Jota for his goals, his passion, and his spirit. But for his family, and for those moved by the discovery of this small, haunting sketch, he will forever be the figure circled in red, labeled “DAD?”—a symbol of love that not even flames could destroy.