Current and former teammates of Liverpool and Portugal soccer players Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva gathered on Saturday in their hometown to pay their last respects.
The service was held at the Chapel of Resurrection in the town of Gondomar, which is on the outskirts of Porto. Jota, 28, is survived by his wife and three children.
The Context
Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva, who went by Diogo Jota, and his brother André died on Thursday while driving from Spain to England after a doctor advised them not to fly after Jota received minor lung surgery.
The brothers were driving to Portugal to catch a ferry so Jota could return to Liverpool in time to start preseason training. It is unclear which of the brothers was driving when the accident occurred. Police say the car’s tire burst as they passed through Zamora, Spain, causing them to crash. Their deaths appeared to have been instantaneous.
Jota signed for Liverpool in 2020, joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he had made a name for himself as a bright talent. At Liverpool, Jota played 182 games, scoring 65 goals and making 26 assists as he won the FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, and the club’s landmark 20th league title. He wore the number 20.
Silva, 25, played first for Gondomar and then for Liga Portugal 2 team F.C. Penafiel as a midfielder and winger. He made 59 appearances for his club and scored six goals. He played for F.C. Porto during his youth career. He is survived by his wife Maria Rodrigues.
What To Know
The funeral service was held at 10 a.m. local time in Portugal, attended by several of his current and former Liverpool teammates. Andrew Robertson and club captain Virgil van Dijk carried wreaths with the numbers 20 and 30 for Jota and Silva, respectively.
Former club captain Jordan Henderson, who now plays for Dutch club Ajax, was in attendance following his visit to Liverpool where he also paid respects at the massive fan tribute of flags, flowers, and photos laid outside Anfield, the club’s stadium. Former teammate James Milner also attended.
Other Liverpool players in attendance included Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister, Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez, English defender Joe Gomez, Irish defender Conor Bradley, Japanese midfielder Wataru Endō, and French defender Ibrahima Konaté. Liverpool manager Arne Slot and CEO Michael Edwards also attended, according to CNN.
Portugal players including Rúben Neves and João Cancelo, who played in the Club World Cup on Friday for Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, attended the service, along with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City players Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias, Chelsea player João Félix, and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper José Sá, according to the New York Times.
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez also attended, and told reporters outside the church that “today was a day that we showed that we are a very, very large but close family. We are Portugal…we are together and we will always be together.”
Nuno Espírito Santo, manager of Nottingham Forest and former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager who brought Jota to England from Spanish club Atletico Madrid, also attended.
Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, was seen walking alongside the coffin, trying to help carry it as she wept. The couple were wed just 11 days prior to his death.
One of the attendants carried a black and white photo of Silva that read, “Para Sempre Um De Nos,” which means “Forever One Of Us.”
Hundreds of the town’s residents gathered outside the church while the smaller, private service took place. The Bishop of Porto Manuel Linda delivered the homily and addressed the families of the deceased, reminding them that “solidarity in love is always stronger than death,” according to Reuters.
What People Are Saying
Liverpool Manager Arne Slot said in tribute, in part: “The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.”
Later, he added: “My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva. When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten. His name is Diogo.”
Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo wrote on Instagram: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the national team, and you had just gotten married. To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish you all the strength in the world. I know you’ll always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We’ll all miss you.”
Former Liverpool Manager Jürgen Klopp wrote on Instagram: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it. I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much! All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace — Love.”
Liverpool teammate and Scotland captain Andrew Robertson wrote on Instagram, in part: “The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre. For the team and the Club, we’ll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It’s the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real.
He concluded: “The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family. I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo.”
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