The football world is reeling from further heartbreak as Rute Cardoso, wife of Liverpool star Diogo Jota, reportedly collapsed from shock and was rushed to a Liverpool hospital on the afternoon of July 3, 2025, hours after learning the devastating cause behind the fatal car accident that claimed Jota and his brother André Silva.
The crash, which occurred at 12:30 AM local time on Spain’s A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, saw the brothers’ Lamborghini veer off the road and burst into flames.
Spanish police, as cited by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, revealed a suspicious substance resembling a bomb in the wreckage, prompting a sabotage investigation that intensified the tragedy’s impact on Jota’s family.
Rute, who married Jota on June 22, 2025, was informed of the police findings at the family’s Merseyside home, leading to her collapse from emotional distress, according to sources close to the club.
Paramedics transported the 28-year-old, mother to their three children under six, to Aintree University Hospital, where she remains under observation for severe shock and dehydration.
Liverpool’s statement on July 3 reiterated their commitment to supporting Rute and the children, saying, “We are devastated for Rute and the family. The club will continue to provide every possible resource during this unimaginable time.”
The couple’s recent wedding, celebrated with a heartfelt Instagram post by Jota captioned “A day we will never forget,” has amplified the grief.
The crash, initially attributed to a tire blowout, has taken a chilling turn with the discovery of the explosive-like substance, as reported by The Guardian and BBC Sport.
Spanish authorities are investigating potential foul play, with forensic tests ongoing to determine the substance’s nature and whether it caused the tire failure.
Jota, 28, and André, 26, a Penafiel midfielder, were mourned across football, with tributes from Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Portugal’s Prime Minister. Fans on X expressed anguish, with @LFC4Ever posting, “Rute collapsing breaks my heart—prayers for her and the kids.”
The Portuguese FA’s request for a UEFA minute’s silence at Women’s Euro 2025 matches underscores the tragedy’s scale.
Liverpool, grappling with Jota’s loss—65 goals in 182 appearances—and squad changes like Marc Guéhi’s arrival, face Bournemouth on August 17.
The club’s support for Rute, including counseling and financial aid, offers a glimmer of hope amid this profound tragedy, as the football community rallies around Jota’s grieving family.
