EXCLUSIVE: Diogo Jota’s Personal Trainer Admits Driving the Star to an Unregistered Address on the Morning of the Crash — CCTV Shows a Mystery Woman Opening the Door

The football world remains in shock following the tragic deaths of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in northwestern Spain. The 28-year-old forward, who had married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso just 11 days earlier, was driving a Lamborghini Huracan when a tire blowout caused the vehicle to veer off the A-52 motorway near Zamora, bursting into flames. Now, an exclusive revelation from Jota’s personal trainer, Ricardo Almeida, adds a mysterious twist to the events leading up to the tragedy: Almeida drove Jota to an unregistered address in Porto hours before the crash, where CCTV footage captured a woman, not identified as Rute, opening the door.

A New Layer of Intrigue

Almeida, who had been working with Jota to manage his recovery from a recent lung surgery for a pneumothorax, spoke to Portuguese outlet Correio da Manhã on July 28, 2025, revealing that he drove Jota to an unfamiliar address in Leça da Palmeira, a coastal suburb north of Porto, at approximately 9:00 a.m. on July 2. The address, described as a nondescript apartment building, was not registered to Jota, his family, or any known associates. Almeida stated, “Diogo asked me to drive him there after our morning session. He didn’t say why, just that it was important. I didn’t ask questions—he was focused, calm, but private about it.”

CCTV footage obtained by Correio da Manhã from the building’s entrance shows Jota arriving at 9:17 a.m. A woman, described as being in her late 20s with dark hair, opened the door and greeted him briefly before he entered. The woman’s identity remains unknown, and Almeida claims he did not recognize her. “I waited in the car for about 30 minutes,” Almeida said. “Diogo came back, thanked me, and said he’d drive himself to meet André later.” This visit occurred roughly 15 hours before the fatal crash at 12:30 a.m. on July 3, raising questions about Jota’s activities in the lead-up to the tragedy.

The Crash and Ongoing Investigation

The accident occurred as Jota and André, a 25-year-old midfielder for Penafiel, were traveling to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, a precaution due to Jota’s medical advice against flying post-surgery. Spanish police, per a July 8 statement, believe Jota was driving and likely speeding, with tire marks suggesting the Lamborghini exceeded the 120 km/h (75 mph) limit. However, two lorry drivers, José Azevedo and José Aleixo Duarte, disputed this, claiming the car was not speeding and that the A-52’s poor road conditions contributed to the crash.

The revelation about the unregistered address has fueled speculation, particularly in light of a prior report by AS that Jota whispered the name “Sofia” in his final moments, as recounted by emergency physician Dr. Elena Martinez. The name did not match Rute’s, prompting theories about the mystery woman’s identity. Social media, especially X, has been rife with unverified claims, with some suggesting “Sofia” could be linked to the woman seen on CCTV. However, no evidence confirms a connection, and Portuguese police have not commented on the footage.

Jota’s Final Hours

Almeida’s account provides a partial timeline of Jota’s last day. After their training session at 8:00 a.m., Almeida drove Jota to the Leça da Palmeira address. Jota then met André, and the brothers reportedly dined together before embarking on their drive to Santander. Earlier reports noted Jota’s upbeat mood, with his respiratory physiotherapist, Miguel Goncalves, stating that Jota was “excited” and had whispered, “I’m the lucky one,” echoing a comment on Rute’s Instagram post about their wedding.

The purpose of Jota’s visit to the unregistered address remains unclear. Almeida insists it was not related to his training or recovery, and no illicit activity has been suggested. “Diogo was professional, always,” Almeida said. “If it was personal, he kept it to himself.” The woman’s identity and her relationship to Jota are under scrutiny, but sources close to the family, speaking anonymously to Record, urged respect for Rute and the couple’s three children, emphasizing that speculation could deepen their grief.

A Storied Career and Lasting Legacy

Jota was a cornerstone of Liverpool’s 2024-2025 Premier League title, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 26 games. His 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club, along with an FA Cup and two EFL Cups, cemented his status as a fan favorite. For Portugal, he earned 49 caps, winning two Nations League titles. André, a rising star in Portugal’s second tier, shared his brother’s passion for football. Beyond the pitch, Jota was a top-ranked FIFA esports player and owned LUNA Esports.

The brothers’ funeral on July 5 at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar was attended by Liverpool stars like Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, as well as Cristiano Ronaldo and Jürgen Klopp. Rute, carrying Jota’s coffin, displayed remarkable strength. Tributes poured in from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Prince William, and even Oasis during their Cardiff reunion tour.

Unanswered Questions

The CCTV footage and Almeida’s admission have intensified public interest, but authorities have cautioned against jumping to conclusions. The Spanish Guardia Civil’s investigation, set to conclude with a report to the Puebla de Sanabria court, focuses on the crash’s mechanics—tire blowout, potential speeding, and road conditions—rather than Jota’s earlier activities. Portuguese police have not confirmed whether they are investigating the Leça da Palmeira visit, citing privacy concerns.

Rute Cardoso, now raising three young children alone, has remained silent on the mystery woman. Her 2019 Instagram post, “Not even death can tear us apart,” resonates as she navigates this loss. The football community continues to honor Jota, with Liverpool considering retiring his No. 20 shirt. As Arne Slot said, “Diogo was a friend to everyone.” Yet, the unanswered questions—Who was the woman? Why the unregistered address?—linger, casting a shadow over a tragedy already steeped in sorrow.