Hundreds Mourn at Funeral for Diogo Jota and Brother in Gondomar, Portugal
On the morning of Saturday, July 5, 2025, hundreds of mourners—including family, friends, local residents, Portuguese officials, and Liverpool FC staff—gathered at Igreja Matriz in Gondomar to pay their final respects to Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, following their tragic deaths in a car crash in Spain earlier this week .
The funeral, canonically scheduled for 10 a.m. local time, followed a wake held on Friday at the nearby Capela da Ressurreição, which was initially private before being opened to the public. Among those present were their grieving parents, Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, their three young children, and dozens of teammates and friends .
Liverpool’s delegation included captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, manager Arne Slot, and key club officials—many having flown on a chartered flight provided by the club . Van Dijk, speaking at the vigil, described Jota as “an unbelievable family man” and pledged unwavering support for his bereaved family .
Mourning extended beyond the football world. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro attended the wake, highlighting the resonance of the tragedy across nation and sport . In Gondomar—a working‑class town east of Porto—many locals lined the streets; former teammates and community members recalled both brothers for their warmth and connection to their roots .
The crash occurred in the early hours of July 3 on Spain’s A‑52 motorway after a tyre reportedly burst while overtaking, causing the Lamborghini carrying the brothers to veer off and burst into flames . Both men were confirmed dead at the scene; Jota was 28 and Silva 25.
The tragedy has cast a deep shadow over Liverpool FC, prompting the postponement of pre‑season training and triggering an outpouring of tributes worldwide—from moment’s silence at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches to personal messages from Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson, and former manager Jürgen Klopp .
As the funeral service concluded, many in Gondomar were left grappling with profound loss—not only for two beloved local sons, but for a football icon whose life had just begun, leaving behind a young family and a legacy of brilliance, humility, and community spirit.