BREAKING: The last selfie from Diogo Jota’s iPad was taken at 2:41am — 18 minutes before the crash — but the lighting in the photo doesn’t match any known stop👉 Fans say something about it feels… off
BREAKING: Diogo Jota’s Final Selfie Raises Questions as Fans Point to Unexplained Details
The football world remains in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in northern Spain. Now, a newly surfaced detail has sparked intrigue and speculation among fans: a selfie reportedly taken by Jota on his iPad at 2:41 a.m.—just 18 minutes before the fatal accident—has raised questions due to its unusual lighting and inconsistencies with the known timeline of events. Fans on social media platforms, particularly X, have expressed unease, noting that “something about it feels… off,” prompting discussions about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Selfie and Its Anomalies
According to posts circulating on X, the selfie was discovered on Jota’s iPad, which was among the personal effects recovered from the wreckage of the Lamborghini Huracan that caught fire after a tire blowout on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora. The image, timestamped at 2:41 a.m., shows Jota and his brother André in the car, with Jota behind the wheel. The crash occurred around 3:00 a.m. local time, placing the selfie just 18 minutes prior. However, fans have pointed out that the lighting in the photo—described as unusually bright and even—does not align with the conditions expected on a rural Spanish highway at that hour, where street lighting is minimal and the area is known for its rugged terrain and poor road conditions.
The A-52 is notorious for its lack of adequate lighting and frequent potholes, with locals reporting 40 complaints about road conditions to Spain’s transport ministry in a single month in 2024. The crash site, near kilometre 65, is described as a dark, forested stretch with limited visibility, often compounded by fog. Fans have questioned how the selfie could appear so well-lit, with some speculating that it might not have been taken at a known stop or rest area, as no such location matches the lighting conditions described. One X user commented, “That selfie looks like it was taken in a studio, not a car on a pitch-black highway. Something’s not right.” Another wrote, “2:41 a.m., 18 minutes before the crash, and the lighting’s perfect? Feels off.”
Conflicting Reports on the Crash
The selfie’s emergence adds fuel to an already complex narrative surrounding the crash. Spanish authorities initially suggested that Jota, who was likely driving, was speeding when the Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout during an overtake, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and burst into flames. A preliminary police report cited tire marks extending 100 meters from the point of impact, indicating possible excessive speed beyond the 120 km/h (74 mph) limit. However, two Portuguese lorry drivers who witnessed the incident have challenged this claim. José Aleixo Duarte, who passed the Lamborghini five minutes before the crash, insisted the car was traveling at a “moderate speed” and not speeding. Another driver, José Azevedo, who filmed the burning wreckage, echoed this, stating the car passed him “super calmly” and that the road’s poor condition was a likely factor.
Azevedo, who identified himself as the author of the viral footage showing the Lamborghini in flames, said he attempted to intervene with a fire extinguisher but was unable to save the brothers. He also criticized media reports for suggesting he failed to provide aid, emphasizing the road’s hazardous state. Spanish road safety expert Javier Lopez Delgado has pointed to “multiple factors,” including speed and the A-52’s uneven surface, as contributors to the tragedy, noting that a lower speed might have prevented the fatal outcome.
Fan Speculation and Social Media Buzz
The selfie’s unusual lighting has fueled a wave of theories on X, ranging from plausible to conspiratorial. Some fans suggest the photo could have been taken earlier and timestamped incorrectly due to a glitch or manual adjustment on the iPad. Others question whether the image was manipulated or staged, though no evidence supports such claims. The emotional weight of Jota’s death—coming just 11 days after his wedding to Rute Cardoso and amid a triumphant season with Liverpool and Portugal—has amplified fans’ desire for answers. The hashtag #JotaSelfie has gained traction, with users sharing side-by-side comparisons of the selfie’s lighting against photos of the crash site’s dark, desolate conditions.
One user posted, “If that selfie was really at 2:41 a.m., where’s the light coming from? No streetlights, no headlights, no rest stop. It doesn’t add up.” Another speculated, “Maybe they stopped somewhere lit up, like a gas station, but why no mention of it in reports?” The lack of official comment from authorities or Jota’s family on the selfie has left room for speculation, with fans urging for transparency in the ongoing investigation.
A Heartbreaking Context
The selfie’s discovery comes as Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, continues to grieve the loss of her husband and brother-in-law. The couple, who married on June 22, 2025, in Porto, shared three young children—Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda. Jota’s final Instagram post, a wedding video captioned “A day we will never forget,” was shared hours before the crash, underscoring the joy of their recent union. Cardoso, who identified the brothers’ bodies and recovered personal effects, including the iPad, has been offered psychological support as she navigates this devastating period.
The football community’s response has been profound, with tributes from Anfield to Gondomar. Liverpool retired Jota’s number 20 shirt, and fans have left flowers, scarves, and notes at the stadium, including tributes from rival supporters. At a pre-season friendly against Preston North End on July 13, 2025, fans sang Jota’s chant in the 20th minute, and players like Darwin Núñez honored him with his signature video-game-inspired celebration.
Unanswered Questions
As Spanish authorities finalize their investigation, the selfie’s inconsistencies have added a layer of mystery to an already tragic story. The Guardia Civil has confirmed that a detailed report, including analysis of tire marks and speed, will be submitted to a court in Puebla de Sanabria, but no specific mention of the selfie has been made public. The iPad’s recovery from the fire-damaged Lamborghini raises further questions about how it survived the blaze that left the brothers’ bodies unidentifiable.
For now, the selfie remains a haunting piece of the puzzle, a final glimpse of Jota and André before their lives were cut short. Whether the lighting discrepancy is due to a technical quirk, an unreported stop, or something else entirely, fans are left grappling with a sense of unease. As one X post put it, “It’s not just the light—it’s like that selfie is trying to tell us something Diogo couldn’t.” The truth behind the image may never fully emerge, but its impact on Jota’s legacy and the ongoing investigation is undeniable.