Mysterious Detail Emerges in Diogo Jota Crash: Wedding Watch Stopped at Daughter’s Birth Date

The tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has taken another haunting turn. Among the personal effects recovered from the wreckage of their Lamborghini Huracán on the A-52 motorway in Zamora, Spain, was Jota’s wedding watch—a timepiece he wore during his marriage to Rute Cardoso just 11 days earlier. Investigators have revealed a chilling detail: the watch stopped at exactly 12:28 a.m., two minutes before the crash’s estimated time of impact at 12:30 a.m. More intriguingly, the hands of the watch point to a time and date corresponding to the birth of Jota’s daughter, Mafalda, born on November 26, 2024. Authorities suspect the watch was manually reset before the journey, raising questions about whether this was a deliberate act by Jota, imbued with emotional significance, or a bizarre coincidence tied to the tragedy.

The Crash: A Devastating Loss

The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of July 3, 2025, as Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, were traveling toward Santander to catch a ferry to England. Jota, a key figure in Liverpool’s 2025 Premier League triumph, had been advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure, prompting the road trip. According to Spain’s Civil Guard, the Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout while overtaking a truck, causing it to veer off the A-52, roll, and burst into flames. The brothers were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children: sons Denis, 4, and Duarte, 2, and daughter Mafalda, eight months old.

The football world mourned deeply, with tributes from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who carried a floral tribute shaped like Jota’s No. 20 shirt at the brothers’ funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5. Amid the grief, the discovery of a child’s drawing in Jota’s backpack—depicting a plane in flames with a figure labeled “DAD?” unharmed—added an eerie layer to the story. Now, the stopped wedding watch introduces another perplexing mystery, further intensifying public fascination and sorrow.

The Wedding Watch: A Symbol Frozen in Time

Jota’s wedding watch, a luxury timepiece he wore during his June 22, 2025, wedding in Porto, was among the items recovered from the crash site. The watch, described as a sleek, personalized piece gifted to Jota during his nuptials, was found in his backpack, partially damaged but intact enough for investigators to examine. According to a source close to the Civil Guard, the watch had stopped at precisely 12:28 a.m. on July 3, two minutes before the estimated time of the crash. This alone might be attributed to the violent impact or fire damage, but forensic analysis revealed the watch was manually reset before the journey to display a specific time and date: 3:17 p.m. on November 26, 2024—the exact moment of Mafalda’s birth, as confirmed by family records.

This revelation has stunned investigators and those close to the case. The watch’s manual reset suggests Jota deliberately set it to his daughter’s birth date, perhaps as a sentimental gesture during the long drive. However, the timing—stopping just two minutes before the crash—has sparked speculation about whether the act carried deeper meaning. Was Jota reflecting on his family during the journey, or could the watch’s condition point to an unexplained malfunction? The Civil Guard has not ruled out mechanical failure but noted that the watch’s internal mechanism appeared functional, making the reset a focal point of their inquiry.

Theories and Emotional Resonance

The discovery of the stopped watch has ignited a wave of theories, from the sentimental to the supernatural. One possibility is that Jota, a devoted father, reset the watch to his daughter’s birth date as a way to carry his family with him on the road. His final Instagram post, shared hours before the crash, featured a video from his wedding with the caption, “A day we will never forget,” underscoring his deep love for Rute and their children. The watch’s time, frozen at Mafalda’s birth, could reflect a moment of personal significance, perhaps a reminder of the joy his youngest child brought during a challenging season marked by his lung procedure.

Online discussions, particularly on X, have amplified the story’s emotional weight. One user posted, “Jota’s watch stopped at his daughter’s birth? That’s heartbreakingly beautiful and creepy at the same time. Like he knew something.” Another wrote, “Maybe he set it to Mafalda’s birth to feel close to her. This is too much.” Some have speculated about a premonition, especially when paired with the child’s drawing of a fiery plane crash, despite the accident involving a car. The drawing’s date, also July 3, and the watch’s reset have fueled debates about whether these are mere coincidences or something more profound.

Skeptics, however, point to practical explanations. The watch could have been damaged in the crash, stopping randomly, or the reset might have occurred earlier, unrelated to the journey. A Spanish investigator noted that high-end watches can malfunction under extreme conditions, though the precise alignment with Mafalda’s birth date remains unexplained. The ongoing investigation, led by the Civil Guard, aims to clarify whether the watch’s condition offers clues about Jota’s actions or state of mind before the crash.

Contradictions in the Crash Narrative

The watch’s discovery adds complexity to an already contentious investigation. Initial reports suggested Jota was speeding, with the Civil Guard citing skid marks and the tire blowout as evidence of high velocity. However, two lorry drivers who witnessed the crash—José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo—disputed this, claiming the Lamborghini was traveling at a moderate speed on a poorly maintained road. Azevedo, who filmed the aftermath, told Spanish media, “My conscience is clear. They weren’t speeding.” The road’s condition, described as dark and potholed, has also been scrutinized, with local expert Ángel Blanco noting its “many faults.”

The watch’s stopped time could potentially aid investigators in pinpointing the crash’s exact moment, though its manual reset complicates the timeline. If Jota reset it en route, it might suggest he was handling the watch while driving, though there’s no evidence he was distracted. The backpack’s survival in the fire, which also preserved the child’s drawing, indicates some items were shielded from the worst of the blaze, possibly due to their position in the vehicle.

A Father’s Legacy

The watch’s connection to Mafalda’s birth has resonated deeply with fans, who see it as a testament to Jota’s role as a family man. Described by Liverpool manager Arne Slot as “a friend to everyone” and by teammate Andy Robertson as “genuine and real,” Jota’s love for his family was evident in his actions. His wedding, celebrated with Rute and their children, was a highlight of a “dream summer” that included winning the UEFA Nations League with Portugal. The watch, like the drawing, has become a symbol of his devotion, carried with him in his final moments.

Rute Cardoso, who identified Jota’s and André’s bodies after the crash, has faced unimaginable grief. Her Instagram post on July 22, marking what would have been their one-month wedding anniversary, included photos of their June 22 vows with the caption, “one month of our ‘until death do us part’… forever his.” The watch’s discovery, handed over to her among Jota’s personal effects, reportedly left her inconsolable, requiring psychological support.

A Community in Mourning

The football community continues to honor Jota’s legacy. Liverpool retired his No. 20 shirt, and a mural near Anfield bears his name and number. Tributes at his funeral included floral arrangements from teammates and a heartfelt homily from the Bishop of Porto, who addressed Jota’s children directly, saying, “solidarity in love is always stronger than death.” The watch, now in Rute’s possession, may serve as a private keepsake for the family, its hands forever pointing to a moment of joy amid profound loss.

The mystery of the wedding watch—stopped two minutes before impact, set to Mafalda’s birth—may never be fully explained. Whether a deliberate act of love, a mechanical quirk, or something inexplicable, it underscores the fragility of life and the enduring bond between Jota and his family. As fans and investigators grapple with the unanswered questions, one thing is clear: Diogo Jota’s legacy, like the time on his watch, will remain eternally significant.