The family of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota gathered in his hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, Portugal, on Friday, July 4, 2025, for a private wake following his tragic death in a car crash in Spain. Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother, André Silva, were killed early Thursday morning when the Lamborghini they were traveling in veered off the A-52 highway near Palacios de Sanabria and burst into flames.
The private wake was held at the Capela da Ressurreição São Cosme. Jota's father, Joaquim, along with his wife and other family members, were seen arriving to pay their respects. Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes, also attended the private wake to offer their condolences. A public wake commenced later in the day. The funeral is scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Igreja Matriz.
News of the accident has sent shockwaves through the football world, with tributes pouring in from teammates, clubs, and fans. Outside Anfield, Liverpool fans have been laying flowers, scarves, and handwritten notes. A moment of silence was observed before the Women's European Championship match between Portugal and Switzerland. Mohamed Salah, Jota's Liverpool teammate, expressed his grief on Instagram, stating that he was "lost for words" and that it would be "extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back". Liverpool manager Arne Slot shared his sentiments, acknowledging the shared grief and sending his thoughts to the Silva family.
Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, with initial reports suggesting a possible tire blowout while overtaking. A government source indicated that speeding is also being investigated as a potential factor. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the accident.
Jota's death comes just weeks after he married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children. Jota was on summer break after helping Portugal win the Nations League. He had been advised against flying back to England due to recent surgery. He and his brother were reportedly traveling to Santander to catch a ferry to England ahead of Liverpool's pre-season training.
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 and won three major trophies with the club, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances. Prior to Liverpool, he played for Wolves and had a promising career with nearly 50 caps for the national team. His former club, Gondomar SC, mourned the loss of a player who never forgot his roots. His brother, André Silva, played for Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.