Hundreds of people gathered this Saturday in front of the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, where the funeral of Diogo Jota, Liverpool star, and his brother André Silva, player for Penafiel, was held. Both tragically lost their lives in a car accident last Thursday in Spain.

An emotional and crowded farewell

A large contingent of players and staff from Liverpool Football Club, led by head coach Arne Slot, attended the funeral to honor their teammate. Captain Virgil van Dijk arrived carrying a floral tribute in the shape of a red jersey bearing the number 20 Jota number at the club.
Next to him, Andrew Robertson held a similar tribute with the number 30, worn by André Silva at Penafiel.

Church bells rang at 10:00 a.m., marking the beginning of the funeral. The caskets of the two brothers were carried from a nearby chapel into the church, followed by family, friends, and members of Gondomar FC, where Jota began his football journey at age nine.

Portugal national team coach Roberto Martínez was also in attendance, along with top players such as Bernardo Silvaand Rúben Dias (Manchester City), and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). “These are truly sad days, as you can imagine,” said Martínez. “But today, we showed that we are a united family. Their spirit will remain with us forever.”

Rivalries put aside

Portuguese players from rival clubs and representatives from teams where both brothers had played also came to pay their respects. Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota’s wife, arrived earlier alongside his and André’s parents and other family members.

The family had asked for privacy during the service, and the crowd gathered outside the church grounds observed the proceedings in respectful silence, broken only by the solemn ringing of the church bells.

“It was truly emotional to see players from Liverpool, the Portuguese national team, and other clubs where Diogo and André played entering the church together,” said Ferreira Santos, a mourner in attendance.

A heartfelt tribute at Anfield

Meanwhile, at Anfield, Liverpool’s home stadium, tributes continued to pour in for Diogo Jota. Fans placed floral arrangements, heart-shaped balloons, scarves, and messages in a condolence book beneath a sign that read: “Rest in peace, Diogo Jota.”

The club also decided to postpone the return to training, originally scheduled for Friday, moving it to Monday as a sign of respect.

Jota passing has triggered an outpouring of support and remembrance across the football world. One of the most touching moments came in Cardiff, Wales, where iconic band Oasis dedicated their song “Live Forever” to Jota during a concert marking their long-awaited return to the stage after 16 years..

Football mourns two lives lost far too soon but their legacy will live on in the hearts of all who admired them.