By Dayo Ade Olusola M10News Sports Desk | 4 July 2025
The football world has been left devastated following the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, with his physiotherapist now revealing heartbreaking details about the days leading up to the fatal car crash.
Jota, aged 28, and his younger brother, André Silva, died earlier this week while travelling across northern Spain. The pair were reportedly making their way to catch a ferry to England after medical advice urged Jota to avoid flying due to a serious health condition.
The Portuguese international had recently been recovering from pneumothorax, a condition involving a collapsed lung, which required surgery shortly after he participated in Portugal’s victorious UEFA Nations League campaign.
Respiratory physiotherapist Miguel Gonçalves, who had been overseeing Jota’s recovery, shared his grief and detailed the player’s final hours in an interview with Portuguese outlet Record.
“I said goodbye to Diogo and André at around 8:30 p.m.,” Gonçalves recalled. “His brother was his constant companion, they wanted to make the trip together and spend some time together. They decided to travel overnight to avoid the heat.”
According to Gonçalves, the journey from Portugal to the ferry terminal in Santander, northern Spain, was meticulously planned. The brothers intended to break up the trip by stopping to rest at a hotel in the Burgos area, ensuring Jota could manage the journey safely.
Despite battling health challenges, Jota remained determined to return to peak fitness, with Gonçalves praising him as an “unparalleled professional” for his dedication to recovery.
“His lung had partially collapsed, but he made an extraordinary recovery after surgery and post-operative physiotherapy,” Gonçalves explained. “By the time I left him yesterday, he was pain-free, confident, and ready to return to Liverpool.”
Jota was scheduled for a medical appointment in Liverpool next Monday to assess his progress, with plans to sit out the club’s pre-season tour of Japan to continue focusing on rehabilitation. His family were set to fly to England separately.
Addressing speculation surrounding the circumstances of the crash, Gonçalves firmly dismissed rumours of irresponsible behaviour.
“I’ve read some things online and heard comments in the media that are deeply regrettable,” he stated. “Diogo and André were not partying. They were focused, responsible, and had no involvement in anything inappropriate. They did everything properly.”
Liverpool’s first team were due to begin pre-season training next week, with a friendly fixture against Preston North End on the calendar. Jota has expressed excitement about the upcoming season and was optimistic about his fitness trajectory.
“I was working with him every day from last Saturday until Wednesday evening,” Gonçalves added. “He followed every instruction perfectly. He believed this season was going to be his best yet.”
Tributes have poured in from across the football community as Liverpool, Portugal, and fans worldwide mourn the loss of a talented player whose professionalism, dedication and spirit were admired both on and off the pitch.
