The football world will gather in solemn remembrance on Saturday as the funeral of Liverpool forward and Portugal international, Diogo Jota, and his younger brother, André Silva, takes place in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto. The tragic ceremony follows just 48 hours after the devastating car accident that claimed both their lives.
Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, were killed on Thursday when their vehicle veered off a motorway in northwestern Spain and caught fire. The heartbreaking incident occurred merely a week after the Portugal forward celebrated his wedding to longtime partner, Rute Cardoso.
According to local media, the funeral service, scheduled for 0900 GMT, will be led by the Bishop of Porto, with close family members, friends, and football icons from around the world expected to attend. On Friday, hundreds gathered at a wake to pay their respects, including Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes, and FC Porto president André Villas-Boas.
“Football is in deep mourning today. Diogo was not just a gifted footballer, but a symbol of the talent and spirit Portuguese football embodies,” remarked football federation president Pedro Proença.
As grief swept through the football community, Liverpool Football Club opened a condolence book and lowered its flags to half-mast. Supporters laid flowers, jerseys, and scarves inscribed with “Rest in Peace, Diogo Jota” outside Anfield. At the Diogo Jota Football Academy, a moving memorial of flowers, candles, and children’s handwritten messages emerged in honour of the beloved striker.
Jota’s former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp expressed being “heartbroken”, while current boss Arne Slot urged the club to “stand together in solidarity”. A minute’s silence was observed at football grounds globally, including at the Club World Cup quarter-final in Orlando.
Portuguese and British outlets reported that Jota was en route to Santander to catch a ferry to England, avoiding air travel due to recent lung surgery, ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season training camp.
In a deeply personal tribute, Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah shared his grief online, writing:
“I’m truly lost for words. It’s going to be so hard knowing Diogo won’t be there when we return. Teammates come and go, but not like this.”
Diogo Jota leaves behind his wife Rute Cardoso and their three young children. His passing, alongside his brother’s, has left a profound void in the hearts of fans, teammates, and the global football family.
