A Tribute That Turned Into Controversy

Real Madrid found itself in an uncomfortable and unexpected situation during the Ordinary General Assembly of Club Members. In the traditional institutional video honoring individuals who passed away over the last year, the club projected an image that had nothing to do with the intended tribute, sparking immediate confusion and outrage.

The memorial included figures such as Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward, and his brother André Silva, who tragically died in a car accident in July. However, when his segment appeared on screen, the photo shown was not that of the deceased young man, but of footballer André da Silva, a current player for Elche… and Real Madrid’s opponent later that very night.

How the Error Happened — and Why It Escalated

The mistake went viral within minutes. The confusion between two individuals sharing the same name resulted in the club presenting the Elche forward — alive and actively competing — as if he were the late brother of Diogo Jota.

The blunder exposed a worrying lack of internal verification and placed the Elche player in an extremely delicate situation without any justification. With the incident spreading rapidly, Real Madrid was forced to respond swiftly ahead of their match.

Real Madrid’s Response: A Public Apology

The club issued an official statement to correct the error:

“Real Madrid C. F. apologizes to Elche C. F. and to their player André da Silva for mistakenly including, in the obituary of an institutional video, his image instead of that of André Silva, brother of Diogo Jota, Liverpool player. We regret what happened.”

The apology aimed to close the episode, but the incident highlighted the sensitivity of the moment and the need for stricter internal communication procedures within the club.