Diogo Jota's physio details health issue that Liverpool forward heroically played through

Diogo Jota had been courageously battling a lesser-known condition known as a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, in the weeks leading up to his tragic death, according to his physiotherapist Miguel Goncalves. The forward was so determined to help Liverpool secure their second Premier League title that he postponed his surgery for the condition.

He also wanted to play in Portugal's Nation's League match against Spain in June, which Portugal won on penalties. Just five hours before the fatal car crash in Zamora, Spain, 28-year-old Jota and his younger brother Andre, who also died in the accident, visited Mr Goncalves.

The brothers were planning to drive to Santander to catch a ferry to England, opting to travel in the cooler evening weather. The funeral is set to begin tomorrow, with the wake scheduled for 3pm in Sao Cosme and the funeral service at 10am on Saturday at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, located half an hour from Jota's hometown of Porto.

It was here that Jota married his childhood sweetheart Rute in a Catholic ceremony surrounded by loved ones just two weeks ago.

Speaking to Portuguese publication Record, Mr Goncalves, who is predominantly based at a hospital in Porto, revealed: "Diogo was very aware of his professionalism. They were only supposed to arrive in Santander today (Thursday), catch the boat and then go to England.

"The family would arrive later by plane, organise their lives over the weekend and then, on Monday, they had a medical appointment scheduled in Liverpool to assess the situation."

Jota, a father of three, was counselled against flying due to potential health risks. Consequently, he was set to travel via the Brittany Ferries service from Santander, expected to dock in Plymouth, Devon, this morning.

Mr Goncalves lauded the footballer's commitment to professionalism, expressing his disgust at vile online rumours insinuating Jota had been partying prior to the accident.

The physio said: "I've read some things on the internet that are regrettable, and I've even heard some in the media. To be clear, Diogo and Andre weren't partying at all, they weren't in the so-called 'good mood' life, they had nothing that deserved any repair. Nothing."

The supercar's tyre reportedly burst while overtaking on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora, a mere ten miles from the Portuguese border. Authorities are investigating the early Thursday morning incident that led to the tragic crash.

Mr Goncalves remarked on Diogo's remarkable recuperation, saying: "He made an extraordinary recovery, he was undoubtedly an unparalleled professional. He strictly followed what I told him, as you could see in the way he was recovering."

He further detailed the medical progress, saying, "The base of his right lung had collapsed a little, but with the post-surgery physiotherapy he was practically flawless.

"When I left him yesterday he was no longer in pain and was going to return to Liverpool. He was excited, confident in his recovery and enthusiastic about the next season."