Gondomar – Hundreds of mourners filled the streets outside Igreja Matriz de Gondomar on Saturday as family, football stars, and fans gathered to say a final goodbye to Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva. The brothers died in a car crash early Thursday morning near Zamora, Spain.
The funeral followed an emotional wake held the day before, where President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prominent figures from Portuguese football joined the local community in remembrance.
Jota, 28, a Liverpool and Portugal forward, had returned home just 11 days prior to marry his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple shared three children. Silva, 21, was also a footballer and wore the number 30 on his shirt during his career.
According to Spanish authorities, the crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time on the A-52 highway. The Lamborghini they were traveling in blew a tire while overtaking another car and veered off the road before catching fire. Jota, recovering from minor surgery, had opted not to fly and was making his way to catch a ferry to England for pre-season training.
As the bells tolled in Gondomar, Liverpool players arrived in silence. Captain Virgil van Dijk led the group, carrying a wreath with Jota’s number 20. Defender Andy Robertson followed, holding one marked 30 for Silva. Fans lining the street clapped quietly. One woman shouted, “Força!” Portuguese for strength.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and defender Joe Gomez were among those present. Manchester City’s Rúben Dias, Portugal’s national coach Roberto Martinez, and former manager Fernando Santos also attended.
“We’re heartbroken,” said Van Dijk. “He wasn’t just a teammate. He was an unbelievable family man.”
The brothers’ family requested the funeral remain private. Speakers outside the church allowed the crowd to hear the service. Many wore football shirts and held scarves, while Portuguese flags waved in the breeze.
Jota’s impact extended far beyond the pitch. A local fan, Carlos, stood at the barrier, holding back tears. “He was a good footballer,” he said, “but a better person. He gave hope to kids here.”
Tributes have poured in worldwide. At Anfield, fans laid flowers and scarves beneath the Shankly Gates. In Philadelphia and Cardiff, musicians and athletes paused to honor the late striker. British band Oasis displayed Jota’s image during a performance of Live Forever on stage in Wales.
Portugal Prime Minister Luís Montenegro described Jota as “an athlete who honored Portugal’s name.” Liverpool boss Arne Slot added, “He embodied what it meant to wear our badge.”
Jota’s career began with Paços de Ferreira before moving to Atlético Madrid in 2016. After spells at Porto and Wolves, he joined Liverpool in 2020 for an initial £41 million. In 182 matches, he scored 65 goals, helping the Reds win the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups.
He earned 49 caps with Portugal, scoring 14 goals. Silva, though less known globally, was remembered locally as a rising talent with determination and humility.
As the service ended, silence hung heavy over Gondomar. One mourner, António Moreira, clutched his old Porto FC phone case and whispered, “Losing your parents is painful. But losing your children… it’s unimaginable.”
The song once sung for Jota at Anfield echoed in quiet voices near the church:
“Oh, his name is Diogo.”
