Gondomar, Portugal — The football world came together this week to honor Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, following their tragic deaths in a car accident in Zamora, Spain. Jota, a Liverpool forward at age 28, was returning to England for pre-season training after a minor surgery left him unable to fly. The funeral service took place at the Chapel of Resurrection, located just outside Porto, where family, friends, and teammates gathered to pay their respects.
Many prominent figures from the sport attended the service, including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and defender Andy Robertson, who carried floral tributes marked with the brothers’ shirt numbers—20 for Jota and 30 for Silva. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson also showed his support at the emotional gathering. Notably, Jota’s national teammates, such as Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo, made their way back from a Club World Cup match in Florida to join the memorial.
Other notable attendees included Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Joao Felix, all of whom took a moment to honor the fallen players. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was present alongside Roberto Martinez, Jota’s national team manager, highlighting the impact Jota had on and off the field. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who previously coached Jota, was also in attendance, emphasizing the deep connections Jota forged throughout his career.
Last season marked a significant high for Jota, as he celebrated winning the Premier League with Liverpool and the Nations League with Portugal. Just a few weeks before the tragedy, he married Rute Cardoso in a ceremony in Porto, surrounded by family and friends. The couple had three children together, adding a layer of heartache to this devastating loss.
Liverpool opened a book of condolences both online and at Anfield on Thursday, allowing fans, players, and public figures to express their sympathies. The club’s former captain Henderson and deputy prime minister Angela Rayner were among the first to pay their tributes. Liverpool’s current manager, Slot, described the atmosphere within the team as one of shock, calling it an “unimaginable loss.” He praised Jota for not just his athletic abilities but also his integrity as a person. Klopp, who had signed Jota from Wolverhampton, expressed his heartbreak, reflecting the sentiments shared throughout the football community.
Messages of condolence also poured in from across the globe, including tributes from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. Mohammed Salah, who ranks among Liverpool’s top scorers, admitted he felt apprehensive about returning to pre-season training following Jota’s passing.
Throughout his career, Jota amassed impressive statistics, including 65 goals and 26 assists in 182 appearances for Liverpool. His contributions helped the club secure an FA Cup victory in 2022, as well as two Carabao Cups and the Premier League title.
Jota’s journey began when he joined Liverpool in September 2020, after helping Wolves earn promotion back to the Premier League with a standout season in which he scored 17 goals. His impact on the teams he played for will be remembered alongside the deep affection felt by those who knew him, marking a profound loss to both his family and the football community at large.