The football world is mourning the loss of Liverpool's Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday. The funeral for the brothers was held Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal.
A large contingent of Liverpool players and staff, including manager Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk, attended the service to pay their respects and support Jota's family. Other Liverpool players present included Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, and Joe Gomez. They were seen carrying wreaths shaped like football shirts with Jota's number 20 on the back.
The Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church hosted the funeral service. Due to the high number of attendees, the family requested privacy during the service, with the sound of the ceremony being broadcast outside the church for those gathered. A wake was held on Friday at the Sao Cosme Chapel, Capela da Ressurreicao, drawing hundreds of mourners.
In addition to Jota's Liverpool teammates, several prominent figures from the Portuguese football community were in attendance. Portugal's national team coach, Roberto Martínez, and players Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Joao Felix and Renato Veiga (Chelsea), Nelson Semedo (Wolves), Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves, and former Liverpool player Fabinho were present. Porto FC president Andre Villas-Boas also attended.
Diogo Jota, 28, and Andre Silva, 25, were killed when the Lamborghini they were traveling in crashed on the A-52 road in Zamora, northwestern Spain, around 12:30 AM on Thursday. The car reportedly veered off the road and burst into flames. Spanish police are investigating the cause of the crash, with a blown tire and speeding being considered as possible factors. It is unknown which brother was driving. The brothers were reportedly on their way to catch a boat to England, where Jota was scheduled to rejoin Liverpool for pre-season training.
Jota's death came just two weeks after he married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year. Jota began his playing career in Gondomar before rising to prominence with Liverpool and the Portuguese national team. His younger brother, Andre Silva, played for Portuguese club Penafiel.
The news of the brothers' tragic passing has prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences from across the football world. Liverpool Football Club postponed the return of their players for pre-season training and opened books of condolence at Anfield for fans to pay their respects. Flags at the stadium were lowered to half-mast, and club stores, museums, and tours were temporarily closed. Countless floral tributes, shirts, and scarves were left outside Anfield in memory of Jota and his brother.
