What car was Jota driving – this question has dominated online search trends and social media discussions following the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota. The 28-year-old father of three and his 25-year-old football player brother André Silva were killed after their Lamborghini caught fire following a suspected tire rupture. The horrific incident occurred on 3 July 2025 along the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain, and has since left the football world devastated.

Tributes flowed in from all across the world in the days that followed. Fans poured memories, montages, and heartfelt remarks into YouTube, Meta, and X (previously Twitter). One aspect of the tragedy has captured the public’s interest: the car that was in the deadly collision. Early reports had speculated on the type of car, but official confirmation later revealed it was a Lamborghini Huracán STO, a supercar renowned for its exceptional speed and track-focused engineering.

Details of the Lamborghini Huracán STO

One of Lamborghini’s most aggressive and race-ready road vehicles is the Huracán STO. Short for Super Trofeo Omologata, it features a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine delivering 640 horsepower and a top speed of over 190 mph. It’s designed with aerodynamics in mind and weighs significantly less than standard Huracáns due to carbon-fibre construction and a stripped-down interior.

According to Spanish traffic investigators, the specific model Jota was driving was a 2024 Lamborghini Huracán STO, finished in a matte grey with yellow detailing – a vehicle he had been spotted in during the 2024 off-season. The car, with Portuguese number plates, was reportedly travelling at high speed when a tyre is believed to have failed, causing Jota to lose control. The vehicle swerved violently, collided with the central barrier, and immediately caught fire, trapping both brothers inside.

Why were they driving through Spain?

Diogo Jota and his brother André had been holidaying in the Galicia region of northwest Spain following the conclusion of the 2024–25 football season. Jota was scheduled to return to Liverpool later that week, and the two were heading back to northern Portugal. Sources close to the family confirmed they had chosen to drive overnight to avoid daytime traffic and heat – a decision that proved tragic.

The A-52 motorway is known for its high-speed bends and unpredictable road conditions, especially during early morning hours. While the exact cause is under investigation, Spanish authorities are focusing on tyre malfunction as the primary factor behind the crash, supported by scorched debris patterns and witness reports of an explosion moments before impact.

Public response and social media uproar

The moment news broke of Jota’s death, social media exploded. On X, hashtags like #JotaLamborghiniCrash, #RIPDiogoJota, and #JotaAndAndre trended worldwide within hours. Some posts focused on tributes and mourning, while others quickly turned attention to the dangers of high-performance supercars and the lifestyle risks often associated with footballers.

Meta’s platforms were filled with tribute reels, fan montages, and emotional stories from those who had met the player. Many focused on Jota’s down-to-earth personality and devotion to his family. Football groups and fan pages began discussing the Lamborghini’s power, raising questions about tyre maintenance, road readiness, and speed management.

On YouTube, creators rushed to publish deep dives into the Huracán STO. Videos from AutoTrader, Shmee150, and DriveTribe analysed the car’s specifications, accident susceptibility, and safety features – or lack thereof. Within days, these videos had garnered millions of views, reflecting the world’s urgent need to understand what went wrong.

The risk of high-speed vehicles

The Huracán STO is not built for casual motorway driving. It is, by all accounts, a race car modified just enough to be street-legal. Its lack of traditional driver aids, low clearance, and stiff suspension mean that on uneven or high-speed highways like the A-52, the car’s capabilities can quickly become liabilities if anything goes wrong.

Tyre blowouts in high-speed vehicles are a known danger. Given the tremendous forces exerted at such speeds, even a momentary failure can cause instant disaster. In the case of Jota and his brother, investigators believe a puncture or structural failure in one of the rear tyres caused the vehicle to become unstable. With no shoulder to stop on and only seconds to react, the outcome was tragically inevitable.

The car culture among footballers

The connection between elite footballers and luxury supercars has always fascinated the public. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s multi-million pound collection to Neymar’s personalised Ferraris, these machines often symbolise success and personal taste. Diogo Jota had never been flashy about his possessions, but his passion for precision engineering was no secret.

Over the years, he had been seen with a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, a Porsche Taycan, and an Audi Q8. The Lamborghini Huracán STO, however, marked a shift – a performance car more commonly seen on race circuits than public roads. According to sources, Jota acquired the vehicle in early 2025 as a celebration of his return from injury and successful Champions League campaign with Liverpool.

It’s a decision now under heavy scrutiny, especially as fans and safety analysts begin asking whether football clubs should be stricter about what cars their players drive. While no laws were broken, and Jota held a valid European performance licence, the debate around sports cars and young athletes is reigniting across media platforms.

The emotional impact across football

Liverpool Football Club confirmed Jota’s passing with a heart-wrenching statement and postponed all activities for 72 hours. A vigil was held at Anfield, where fans laid shirts, flowers, scarves, and personal letters. Club legends including Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and Kenny Dalglish made appearances, paying their respects to the young man who gave his all every time he wore red.

In Portugal, the entire football league came to a standstill. SC Braga, André Silva’s club, announced a memorial fund for the brothers’ family, while the Portuguese FA ordered moments of silence before all domestic matches that weekend.

International teammates, including Bruno Fernandes, João Félix, and Bernardo Silva, took to X with heartfelt tributes. Cristiano Ronaldo posted a photo of him embracing Jota during Euro 2024 qualifiers, captioned simply: “Gone too soon, my brother.”

Questions around road safety and responsibility

The tragedy has brought several larger conversations into the spotlight: the responsibilities of athletes when behind the wheel, the dangers of driving high-powered vehicles without professional training, and the need for regular tyre and mechanical checks – especially on performance cars like the Huracán STO.

Spanish authorities confirmed that no other vehicle was involved, and toxicology reports ruled out alcohol or drugs. Jota was a clean driver, not reckless by reputation. But the incident has raised the uncomfortable truth that even the most skilled drivers are not immune to technical failure and misfortune.

Calls are growing on X for greater regulation of ultra-high-performance cars on public roads. Some campaigners have even demanded a cap on horsepower for civilian vehicles. While these may be extreme, the incident has undoubtedly shaken public trust in the glamour of sports cars.

A timeline of the final journey

1 July 2025: Jota and André leave Porto for a short getaway to Galicia.

2 July 2025 (evening): They attend a private family dinner and decide to drive back overnight.

3 July 2025 (approx. 2:40am): Their Lamborghini Huracán STO is seen entering the A-52 motorway.

3 July 2025 (approx. 3:10am): The crash occurs near Cernadilla. Emergency responders find the vehicle engulfed in flames.

3 July 2025 (6:00am): Local authorities confirm the identities and notify both clubs.

3 July 2025 (10:00am): News breaks globally; Liverpool FC and Braga issue statements.

FAQs

What car was Diogo Jota driving?

Diogo Jota and his brother were in a lime‑green Lamborghini Huracán, rented in Barcelona just days prior to the accident .

Was Jota actually behind the wheel?

Yes. Spanish Civil Guard preliminary findings state that all current evidence indicates Jota was driving at the time of the crash .

Did the car experience a tyre blowout?

Investigations reveal a tyre burst occurred while overtaking another vehicle. The blowout, combined with high speed, caused the Huracán to veer off the A‑52 motorway and explode upon impact .

Was speed a factor, or was this just an accident?

Spanish police report suggest the Lamborghini was travelling “significantly above the speed limit” (120 km/h / 75 mph on that stretch) during the overtake manoeuvre . However, a key eyewitness— a truck driver who recorded the crash—asserts the brothers passed him “calmly” and did not appear reckless . That conflicting testimony is widely shared and debated on X today, with viral clips and threads trending under tags like #JotaCrash.

What media coverage and reactions are trending now on X?

On X, heartfelt tributes mix with intense discussion around road‑safety responsibility and super‑car behaviour. Users share the truck‑driver’s video, sparking over 100k shares, while sentiments vary from cautionary warnings to reflections on high‑speed risks. A particularly trending post shows the clip overlaying Jota’s last celebratory goal, drawing both homage and critique.

Final thoughts

The question what car was Jota driving may appear simple on the surface, but beneath it lies a tragic web of passion, performance, and fate. The Lamborghini Huracán STO, a car that symbolised power and ambition, ended up being part of one of football’s darkest moments.

Diogo Jota was not just a footballer. He was a father, a brother, a friend, and a fighter – someone who inspired fans not just with his talent, but with his humility. His love for precision and speed, while deeply human, collided with the cruel randomness of the road.

This loss will not be measured in matches missed or goals not scored. It will be measured in the empty silence at Melwood training ground, in the black armbands worn across Europe, and in the tearful chants echoing through Anfield.

Let Jota’s memory not be confined to the wreckage of that night. Let it be a call to rethink the intersection of fame, freedom, and responsibility. Let it remind us that no matter how fast we drive, life’s fragility is always riding alongside.

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