On Thursday, Jota and his younger brother Andre were driving a Lamborghini, heading to Santander on Spain’s northern coast. The plan was to take the car on a ferry across the Bay of Biscay and the Celtic Sea to the port city of Liverpool, where he was preparing to join his team for the new season.

However, in the province of Zamora, located in northwestern Spain, the supercar’s tire exploded while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The car rolled several times before catching fire. Both Jota, 28, and Andre Silva, 26, died in the accident.

According to CNN PortugalJota has recently undergone lung surgery. Due to the potential complications from changes in air pressure during flight, his doctor advised him against traveling by plane.

Jota decided to travel by car and planned to take the Lambo on a ferry to England.

He reportedly felt discomfort in his lungs and chose road and water travel as a safer alternative, as confirmed by CMTV.

The fatal accident occurred on the A52 highway, a stretch of road in Spain known for its poor condition. A survey conducted by the Spanish Consumer and User Organization revealed that the A52 had inadequate safety barriers and a large number of repair sites, which had become a significant concern for drivers. The survey also found that the highway was frequently listed as one of the most dangerous in Spain, Metro reported.

Zamora authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, with initial reports indicating possible speeding violations, according to PA.

Jota, born on Dec. 4, 1996, had a great footballing career, playing for top clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Porto and Wolves before moving to Liverpool. Over his 182 appearances for Liverpool, he scored 65 goals and won four major titles. Jota also made 49 appearances for the Portugal national team, scoring 14 goals and winning two UEFA Nations League.

In the month leading up to his death, Jota helped Liverpool secure a historic English championship win and contributed to Portugal’s UEFA Nations League victory. His untimely passing has captured the attention of the global media, with many prominent sports figures, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Nadal and LeBron James, expressing their condolences.