Liverpool's Diogo Jota, and his brother Andre Silva, were identified by the player's wife following their fatal car crash near Zamora on Thursday.
Rute Cardoso, who had only recently become Jota's spouse, identified the brothers for the authorities. She revealed to the police that their plan was to stop over in Benavente before continuing their journey to Santander to board a ferry bound for Portsmouth, as reported by Portuguese media.
Cardoso, mother to their three children, has been provided with psychological support, and the personal items salvaged from the Lamborghini blaze have been handed over to her. It was a relative who raised the alarm when the brothers failed to arrive in Benavente, and subsequent checks on the documentation confirmed they were Portuguese nationals.
The catastrophic incident was reportedly caused by a tyre blowout on the Lamborghini, leading to a fire and leaving behind a scene of devastation. Emergency services pronounced both occupants deceased shortly after reaching the site.
A Civil Guard spokesperson in Zamora stated: "The investigation into the crash is being carried out by Civil Guard traffic officers. We believe the car suffered a blowout from the marks on the road. The full police report once it is completed will be submitted to a duty court in Zamora which has launched an ongoing judicial investigation into this crash," reports the Mirror.
"That report is going to take time to complete, probably about four or five days but possibly longer. At this moment in time it is impossible to say at exactly what speed the car was going but that is something the Civil Guard investigators will be able to detail at least approximately in their final report from things like the skid marks.
The aftermath of Jota's fatal car crash
The aftermath of Jota's fatal car crash (Image: 2025 Anadolu)
"What I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no-one else was hurt."
Liverpool confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, which read: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Flowers and tributes laid outside Anfield
Flowers and tributes have been laid in memory of Jota outside Anfield following the news of his tragic death on Thursday.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds, including six last season as they won the Premier League title. He also won the FA Cup and League Cup (twice) with Liverpool.
Ruben Neves, Jota's former team-mate at Wolves, was also among the first people to pay tribute to his friend. He wrote on social media: "They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you!".
Cristiano Ronaldo joined in paying tribute to his Portugal team-mate, stating: "Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team. Just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre We will all miss you."