The football world united in profound grief on Saturday, July 5, 2025, as liverpool players and staff joined hundreds of mourners in Gondomar, Portugal, to pay their final respects to forward diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva. The brothers tragically died in a car crash earlier in the week. The atmosphere in Jota’s hometown was deeply emotional, marked by widespread sadness and disbelief as family, friends, football figures, and local residents gathered to mourn the devastating loss.
Gondomar Bids Farewell Amidst Overwhelming Grief
Gondomar, a town that held Diogo Jota and his brother close to its heart, became the focal point of international mourning. The funeral ceremony for Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, took place at the Igreja Matriz church. This followed a public wake held on Friday at the nearby Capela da Ressurreição, which saw streams of people queuing for hours to pay tribute. The emotional intensity was palpable, with many attendees visibly upset and tears flowing freely.
The significance of the brothers to their hometown was evident in the scale of the turnout. Local residents mingled with international football stars, all bound by shared sorrow. While the family requested privacy for the church service itself, the audio was broadcast to the hundreds gathered respectfully outside. Fans displayed signs, including one poignant message in Portuguese: “Para sempre um de nós” (Forever one of us), highlighting their deep connection to the community. Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro had also attended the public wake on Friday, underscoring the national impact of the tragedy.
Liverpool’s Strong Show of Support
Liverpool Football Club demonstrated unwavering support for the Jota family, with a large contingent travelling to Portugal for the services. The club chartered a plane, bringing players and staff directly to Gondomar on Friday. Manager Arne Slot was present, alongside captain Virgil van Dijk, defender Andy Robertson, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, and several other first-team players including Darwin Núñez, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Ryan Gravenberch, Conor Bradley, and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Former Liverpool teammates also travelled to pay their respects, including Jordan Henderson (now at Ajax) and James Milner (now at Brighton), highlighting the bonds forged at Anfield. Club officials, including Director of Football Richard Hughes and Chief Executive Michael Edwards, were also in attendance. As they entered the church, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson carried poignant floral tributes shaped like red football shirts, one bearing Jota’s number 20 and the other Silva’s number 30, leading the Liverpool group into the ceremony. This unified presence underscored the tight-knit nature of the squad and the profound impact Jota had on his teammates.
A Global Football Community Mourns
The attendance at the funeral and wake extended far beyond Liverpool, reflecting Diogo Jota’s standing in the global football community and André Silva’s presence in Portuguese football. Alongside the Liverpool group, players from other major clubs and national team colleagues arrived to show solidarity. Manchester City was represented by Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva. Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, both Portugal teammates, were also present. Other notable attendees included Chelsea’s Joao Felix and Nottingham Forest’s Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo and player Jota Silva.
Portugal national team coach Roberto Martinez, who gave Jota his international debut, and former national manager Fernando Santos were among those paying tribute. Messages of condolence poured in from football figures worldwide. Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed the club’s devastation, stating Jota “will never be forgotten” and was the “essence of what a Liverpool player should be.” Former manager Jurgen Klopp described Jota as a “great friend,” while captain Virgil van Dijk called him a “champion forever” and vowed to support his family. Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo commented on the senselessness of the loss, noting their recent time together with the national team. Even ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who shared an agent with Jota, highlighted his fighting spirit and kind nature. The sheer volume and sincerity of tributes from players, coaches, and clubs across the world spoke volumes about the character and impact of both brothers.
Tragic Circumstances of the Fatal Crash
The brothers’ lives were tragically cut short in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025. They were involved in a car crash near Zamora in north-west Spain. According to Spanish authorities, the incident occurred around 12:30 am local time when the Lamborghini Huracan they were travelling in left the A-52 highway and subsequently burst into flames. Spanish government sources initially cited a suspected tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle as a potential cause. However, authorities are also investigating the possibility of a speeding incident. The investigation is reportedly complex, partly due to fire damage potentially obscuring crucial clues at the scene.
Diogo Jota had chosen this road trip route to return to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training rather than flying. He had reportedly been advised not to travel by air following treatment for a collapsed lung. They were believed to be driving towards Santander to catch a ferry back to the UK. The tragic accident occurred just 11 days after Diogo Jota had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children. His widow was present at both the wake and the funeral service, supported by family members, displaying immense heartbreak.
Enduring Tributes and Community Remembrance
Tributes to Diogo Jota and André Silva have emerged in multiple locations, reflecting their impact on their hometown and the football world. In Gondomar, outside the local football ground where the brothers began playing as children, residents have left scarves, shirts, flowers, and mementos. The academy at the club is named in Diogo Jota’s honour, a testament to his local legacy. André Silva had also returned to represent the team as an adult before pursuing a professional career in Portugal’s second division. The Mayor of Gondomar decreed a day of municipal mourning, flying the municipal flag at half-mast and describing Diogo Jota as an “extraordinary talent” and town ambassador.
Simultaneously, at Anfield, Liverpool’s home ground, the collection of tributes continued to grow on Saturday. Mourners left personal memories, scarves, shirts, and flowers, covering a large area outside the stadium, mirroring the scenes of remembrance in Gondomar. The club also took the step of postponing the phased return of some players for pre-season training, allowing time for the squad and staff to process the loss and attend the services. Reports also indicated that Liverpool FC intended to pay the remainder of Diogo Jota’s contract to his family, further supporting them during this difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the circumstances of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva’s death?
Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car crash in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, near Zamora, Spain. Their Lamborghini vehicle left the A-52 highway and caught fire. While a tyre blowout is being investigated as a possible cause, authorities are also examining the possibility of speeding. Jota was travelling by car to catch a ferry back to England for pre-season, having been advised against flying due to recent treatment for a collapsed lung.
Which Liverpool players attended the funeral service in Portugal?
A large contingent of Liverpool players and staff travelled to Gondomar, Portugal, for the funeral. Attendees included manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Núñez, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Ryan Gravenberch, Conor Bradley, and Caoimhin Kelleher. Former players Jordan Henderson and James Milner were also present, as were club officials Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards.
How is Diogo Jota being remembered by the football community and his hometown?
Diogo Jota is being remembered with profound sadness and respect across the football world and in his hometown of Gondomar. Tributes have poured in from teammates, managers, and clubs, highlighting his talent, professionalism, and character. In Gondomar, locals have left mementos at the football ground where he started, which has an academy named in his honour. At Anfield, fans continue to build a memorial with scarves and flowers. His passing is seen as a significant loss to both his community and the sport.
The scale of attendance at the funeral and the volume of tributes underscore the impact Diogo Jota and André Silva had on their community, their families, and the global football stage. The unity shown by players, clubs, and fans in mourning reflects the deep sense of loss felt by many. Their memory will live on through the lives they touched and the legacy they leave behind, both in Gondomar and within the sport.