A Chilling Revelation: Diogo Jota’s Family Dogs Sensed His Passing in Eerie, Unsettling Moments
The tragic death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a fiery car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain, has left an indelible mark on the football world. The 28-year-old Portuguese forward, who had married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso just ten days earlier, left behind a grieving family, including three young sons. Amidst the sorrow, a chilling revelation from Jota’s family has emerged: at the exact moment of the tragedy, their three beloved dogs began acting in strange, unsettling ways, as if sensing their owner’s sudden passing. These eerie moments continue to haunt those who witnessed them.
Diogo and Rute’s life in Porto was filled with love, not only for their sons—Dinis, Duarte, and Afonso—but also for their three beagles, Luna, Max, and Bella. The dogs were a cherished part of their family, often featured in Jota’s social media posts, romping on beaches or cuddling with the children. On the evening of July 3, as Jota and Andre traveled the A-52 highway to catch a ferry to England, a tire blowout caused their Lamborghini Urus to crash and burst into flames. At that very moment, thousands of miles away in Porto, the family’s dogs began exhibiting bizarre behavior that left relatives shaken.
According to Rute’s cousin, Sofia, who was at the Cardoso-Jota home, the dogs suddenly became agitated around 8:47 PM, the estimated time of the crash. Luna, typically calm, began howling mournfully, pacing the living room with her tail tucked. Max, the most playful of the trio, refused to move from Jota’s favorite armchair, whimpering softly. Bella, the youngest, scratched frantically at the door, as if desperate to escape. “It was like they knew something terrible had happened,” Sofia shared, her voice trembling. The eerie coincidence sent chills through the household, with family members exchanging uneasy glances, unaware of the tragedy unfolding in Spain.
The football community has been gripped by this haunting account, with fans on X speculating about the dogs’ uncanny sensitivity. “Animals know things we can’t explain,” one user posted, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many. The dogs’ behavior, so starkly aligned with the moment of Jota’s passing, has added a layer of mystique to an already heart-wrenching story. Rute, who learned of the accident hours later, reportedly collapsed upon hearing of the dogs’ reactions, seeing them as a final connection to her husband’s spirit.
Jota’s decision to travel by road, prompted by medical advice against flying due to a recent lung surgery for a pneumothorax, made the tragedy all the more poignant. The dogs, who greeted Jota daily with boundless enthusiasm, seemed to sense the loss of their protector. Since the accident, Luna, Max, and Bella have remained subdued, often lying near Jota’s belongings, as if waiting for his return. “They’re grieving too,” Sofia noted, describing how the dogs now follow Rute closely, offering quiet comfort to her and the children.
Liverpool FC, where Jota shone as a tenacious forward, has planned tributes, including a minute’s silence at their next match. Fans have left flowers and dog toys at Anfield, honoring the family’s bond with their pets. As Rute prepares for Jota’s funeral in Porto on July 5, 2025, the dogs’ eerie behavior remains a haunting memory, a testament to the deep connection they shared with him. For Rute and her sons, the beagles are a living reminder of Jota’s love, but the chilling moment they sensed his passing lingers, a ghostly echo of a loss that has shattered their world.
