Mourners are preparing to gather in Portugal to honor the life of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash in Spain. The 28-year-old forward, along with his brother Andre Silva, died early Thursday morning on the A-52 highway in Palacios de Sanabria, near Zamora, after the Lamborghini they were traveling in veered off the road and caught fire following a suspected tire blowout.
Just eleven days prior to the accident, Jota had married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple have three children. The news of Jota's passing has sent shockwaves through the football world, with tributes pouring in from clubs, players, and fans alike.
A wake for Diogo and Andre is scheduled to take place on Friday morning at 8:00 am at the Capela da Ressurreicao in Sao Cosme. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. Jose Manuel Macedo, the parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, confirmed the arrangements.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed the club's profound grief, stating that the "sense of shock is absolute". He described Jota as more than just a player, emphasizing that he was a "loved one" to everyone at the club. Slot lauded Jota's hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, and goals, calling him "the essence of what a Liverpool player should be". He added that Jota "never sought popularity" but earned it through his character and ability to make others feel good. Slot also shared that he had wished Jota luck for his wedding the last time they spoke.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk shared his devastation on Instagram, calling Jota an "unbelievable family man". He pledged that the club would always be there for Jota's family, especially his wife Rute and their children. Van Dijk affirmed that Jota's legacy would live on and that he would never be forgotten.
Numerous other figures from the footballing world have expressed their sorrow and condolences. The Prince of Wales, patron of the FA, said he was "deeply saddened" by the news.
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 and quickly became an integral part of the team, known for his versatility, work rate, and goal-scoring ability. Before joining Liverpool, he played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Porto. He was also a key member of the Portuguese national team.
