The football world is in mourning as the funeral for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, is set to take place tomorrow in Gondomar, Portugal. The brothers tragically passed away in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, early Thursday morning. The devastating news has sent shockwaves through the football community, with tributes pouring in from teammates, rivals, and fans alike.
The wake for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva will be held Friday morning at the Capela da Ressurreicao, with the funeral service scheduled for Saturday at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. Jose Manuel Macedo, the parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, shared that the community is ready to celebrate their lives and share the pain with everyone. The funeral is expected to be closed to the public, with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, anticipated to attend.
Heartbreaking scenes have been witnessed as relatives console Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, in Gondomar. The couple, who have three children together, had just celebrated their marriage less than two weeks ago. The loss is unimaginable, and the community is rallying around Rute and her children during this difficult time.
Liverpool players have expressed their grief and disbelief over the loss of their teammate. Captain Virgil van Dijk shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, expressing his devastation and highlighting Jota's qualities as a human being, player, and family man. He pledged to be there for Jota's family during these difficult times and beyond, promising that Jota's legacy would live on. Andy Robertson, another Liverpool player, also paid tribute to Jota, expressing his condolences to the family. Manager Arne Slot said the 'sense of shock is absolute' for the club.
Tributes have also been pouring in from the wider footballing world. UEFA announced that a moment of silence would be observed at Women's Euro 2025 matches. The Portuguese Football Federation expressed their devastation, acknowledging Jota as a fantastic player and an extraordinary person. The Prince of Wales, patron of the FA, shared his condolences with Jota's family and friends.
Diogo Jota, 28, had a successful career, winning 49 caps and scoring 14 goals for Portugal. He recently won the Nations League for the second time. Before joining Liverpool, he also played for Wolverhampton Wanderers. His contributions to football will be remembered, and his loss will be deeply felt by fans around the world.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest that a tyre blowout may have caused the car to leave the road. Jota was reportedly traveling to the UK via ferry to return for pre-season training after being advised not to fly following minor surgery.
As the community prepares to say goodbye to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, the outpouring of love and support demonstrates the impact they had on those around them. Their legacy will live on through their families, friends, and the countless individuals they inspired.
