Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva were laid to rest on Saturday, July 5, in an emotional funeral ceremony held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, Portugal.
The somber service, which began at 10 a.m., drew a large crowd of mourners, including Jota’s Liverpool teammates and key figures from the club. Captain Virgil van Dijk, along with Andy Robertson, Darwin Núñez, Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo, joined head coach Arne Slot, sporting director Richard Hughes, and CEO of football Michael Edwards to pay their final respects.
Several of Jota’s Portuguese national teammates were also in attendance, including Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias of Manchester City, Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, João Cancelo of Al Hilal, and Rúben Neves, underscoring the wide-reaching impact of Jota’s tragic death on the global football community.
The two brothers, Diogo (28) and Andre (25), lost their lives in a fatal car crash in the early hours of Thursday near Zamora, in northwestern Spain. According to local authorities, their Lamborghini veered off an isolated stretch of highway, bursting into flames shortly after midnight.
Reports suggest the brothers were en route to northern Spain to catch a ferry to the UK, where Jota was due to rejoin Liverpool following a brief summer holiday.
Jota’s untimely passing comes just weeks after his wedding to longtime partner Rute Cardoso. The couple shared three children, their youngest born just last year. His death has left both the football world and his young family devastated.
Jota was a key figure in Liverpool’s successful Premier League campaign last season and was known for his sharp instincts on the pitch and his humble personality off it. His loss has sent shockwaves across European football, prompting tributes from fans, clubs, and players around the world.
As the football community mourns, Liverpool FC is expected to honour Jota’s memory in upcoming matches. A minute’s silence and black armbands have already been planned for their next fixture.
