Family, friends, and Liverpool teammates gathered in Portugal today to bid farewell to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically lost their lives in a car crash last Thursday. The joint funeral, held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, began at 10 a.m., marking a poignant moment of grief and solidarity.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot arrived early on Saturday morning, accompanied by players Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Former Liverpool stars, including Jordan Henderson and James Milner, also made the journey to pay their respects to the 28-year-old forward and his 25-year-old brother.

Diogo Jota

The football world united in mourning, with numerous high-profile figures traveling to Portugal for the service. Current Liverpool players Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, and Wataru Endo were present, alongside former Portugal coach Fernando Santos and FC Porto’s Fabio Cardoso. Manchester City and Portugal defender Ruben Dias also attended, as did Liverpool fan and comedian John Bishop. Former Reds star Thiago Alcantara was among the mourners on Thursday.

Saturday’s funeral followed Friday’s wake at the Capela da Ressurreicao in Gondomar, where Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro joined locals in paying tribute. Hundreds of mourners queued under the bright sun to honor the brothers, whose lives were tragically cut short just 11 days after Jota married Rute Cardoso. She, along with the brothers’ mother Isabel and grandfather, attended the wake to say their final goodbyes.

Thiago Alcantara

Former Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara was among the mourners arriving as Diogo Jota’s funeral on Thursday| GETTY

 

The fatal accident occurred when the brothers’ hired £210,000 acid green Lamborghini suffered a suspected tyre blowout on the A52 highway in Zamora province, northern Spain. The pair were traveling to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, as Jota had been advised against air travel following recent lung surgery.

 

 

Diogo Jota

Tributes have poured in from across the football world since the news broke. Messages of condolence came from Jota’s Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, and current Reds boss Arne Slot, reflecting the deep respect and affection held for the two brothers.

Diogo Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020, was a key figure in the squad that secured the Premier League title last season. The loss of him and his brother has resonated far beyond Anfield, reminding fans and players alike of the fragility of life and the enduring bonds of family, friendship, and football.