The funeral service for Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, took place on Saturday, just two days after the siblings tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Spain. Family, friends, and members of Jota’s Premier League club, Liverpool FC, gathered to pay their respects at the Igreja Matriz church in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal. This poignant ceremony brought together the football community in a show of solidarity and mourning.
Among the mourners were notable figures from the football world, including Portugal’s national team coach Roberto Martinez and several prominent players such as Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias from Manchester City, along with Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United. Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk paid tribute by carrying a stunning red floral arrangement designed in the shape of a football shirt featuring Jota’s number 20. Teammate Andrew Robertson also honored the memory of Andre Silva with a similar tribute, showcasing the number 30, which Andre wore while playing for Penafiel.
Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his brother Andre, 25, were discovered deceased near Zamora in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning. The tragic accident occurred shortly after midnight when the Lamborghini they were traveling in crashed on a remote stretch of highway and subsequently caught fire. Reports indicate that the brothers were en route to catch a boat from northern Spain to England, where Diogo was set to rejoin Liverpool following a summer break.
Spanish police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, which did not involve any other vehicles. Preliminary findings suggest that a blown tire may have contributed to the accident. After the brothers were identified by their family, their bodies were repatriated to Portugal. The day before the funeral, a wake was held in their honor, allowing friends and family to say their goodbyes.
Diogo Jota's untimely passing comes just two weeks after he celebrated his marriage to longtime partner Rute Cardoso. They enjoyed a holiday following a successful season in which Jota played a pivotal role in helping Liverpool secure the Premier League title. The couple shared three children, with their youngest born just last year. Jota, originally from Porto, began his footballing journey as a child in Gondomar, while Andre Silva played in the lower divisions of Portuguese football. Their deaths have elicited an overwhelming wave of grief and condolences from the football community and Portuguese officials alike.
