Hundreds gathered within the Portuguese metropolis of Gondomar on Saturday to mourn the lack of footballers Diogo Jota and his youthful brother Andre Silva, who died in a automotive accident earlier this week.
The joint funeral service occurred on the Igreja Matriz, the native church of their hometown, bringing collectively a group away from the soccer pitch, and united of their love for the pair.
Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, have been laid to relaxation facet by facet simply days after the deadly crash occurred within the early hours of Thursday morning in Zamora, Spain.
The two have been reportedly en path to catch a ferry again to England forward of Liverpool’s pre-season schedule, as Jota had just lately undergone minor surgical procedure and was suggested by docs to not fly.
The accident got here simply 11 days after Jota married his long-time companion, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three youngsters collectively. The timing of the tragedy have left followers and family members surprised.
Emotional scenes unfolded on the funeral as distinguished figures from the soccer world attended the service.
Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson have been among the many many who entered the church carrying floral tributes, strolling in formation harking back to stepping onto the pitch, a second that visibly moved these gathered.
Serás para sempre recordado. Descansa em paz, Diogo Jota. 🤍
You will all the time be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/VMCSlQ6c8A
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2025
Players, buddies, and household filed into the church in silence because the bell tolled. Among them, one mourner held a placard with a photograph of Andre Silva, bearing the message “Para sempre um de nos”- “Forever one in every of us.”
Outside, unable to seek out area contained in the packed church, dozens of mourners embraced and consoled each other, many carrying soccer shirts representing golf equipment each home and worldwide.
The crowd, crammed with locals and followers, fell silent for a lot of the one-hour service. Many supporters applauded the gamers as they arrived.
Jota, identified for his relentless power on the pitch, had turn into a beloved determine at Liverpool and all through Portuguese soccer.
Silva, who performed for Penafiel, was additionally admired in his personal proper, each for his expertise and his connection to the local people.
Only three months in the past, Jota was celebrating a Premier League title win with Liverpool.
Now, the identical team-mates who shared in these moments stood alongside him and his household in grief, in a show of unity that underscored simply how deeply the tragedy has affected the footballing world.
