Liverpool teammates gather in Portugal for Jota funeral
Club captain Virgil Van Dijk, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and manager Arne Slot were among teammates past and present who arrived in Portugal late on Friday to pay their respects to the striker and his brother, Andre Silva.
They are expected to join the grieving family and hundreds of residents of Gondomar, a small town in northern Portugal where Jota grew up, for the funeral at the Igreja Matriz church.
Rute Cardoso, who married Jota just weeks ago, is expected to be accompanied by the couple's three young children.
Jota's death at the age of 28 sent shock waves through the world of football and beyond, with messages of condolences pouring in from national leaders as well as across the sport.
The brothers were believed to have been driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to Britain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames after midnight on Thursday. Police said they suspected a tyre had burst.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
18 minutes ago
- Forbes
FC Barcelona To Receive This Offer From European Giant For Ter Stegen
FC Barcelona is set to receive an offer from a European giant - and that which knocked it out of the ... More Champions League last season - for Marc-Andre ter Stegen according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources. FC Barcelona is set to receive an offer from a European giant - and that which knocked it out of the Champions League last season - for Marc-Andre ter Stegen according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources. Though he started 2024/2025 as his team's captain and number one shotstopper, a pretty much campaign-ending injury knocked the German down the pecking order in Catalonia. Wojciech Szczesny was brought out of retirement to cover for the skipper and did a pretty outstanding job as Barca won all three titles on offer in Spain. After Barca shipped seven goals to Inter Milan, however, which saw them lose 7-6 on aggregate in the UCL finals, the quest for a new goalkeeper began. Barca didn't cast its net far and simply looked across the city to Espanyol. Activating breakout star Joan Garcia's $29.5 million (€25 million) and swiftly announcing the 24-year-old. Ter Stegen has since been the subject of endless reports with regards to being forced out of the club. While Sporting Director Deco said that he doesn't owe the veteran an explanation, he will reportedly have talks to clear up his future with head coach Hansi Flick before preseason training starts on July 13. Before that, though, Ter Stegen could have already been shipped off to another club. There has already been interest in him from Saudi Arabia and Galatasaray, but it is Inter Milan that is now thinking of lodging an offer in the coming days. Galatasaray has reportedly switched its focus to the Italians' goalkeeper Yan Sommer, who has just one year left on his contract at the San Siro, and that has forced the UCL runners-up recently knocked out of the Club World Cup by Fluminense to look for a replacement. Ter Stegen went from 'untouchable' to surplus to requirements at FC Barcelona Whether he moves on in the near future or sees out his contract which runs until 2028, Ter Stegen has gone from an 'untouchable' captain at FC Barcelona to a figure that is surplus to requirements while having become angered as what he perceives to be a media campaign against him aimed at forcing his exit.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Players Join Together to Pay Respects to Diogo Jota and André Silva
Liverpool Gather in Mourning for Diogo Jota There are few moments in football more sobering than the collective silence of a team in mourning. On 5 July 2025, Liverpool Football Club stood together in Gondomar, Portugal, not on the pitch, but in grief, paying their respects to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. Both had tragically lost their lives two days earlier, sending shockwaves far beyond the game. Advertisement The funeral, held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, brought together teammates, friends and staff who had shared so much with Jota, a player who had not only scored goals but left a profound impact on those around him. The loss cut deep, and so too did the presence of those who came to remember him. Players Stand Together in Gondomar Among those in attendance were captain Virgil van Dijk, full-back Andy Robertson and striker Darwin Nunez, whose presence at the service spoke volumes. In a show of affection and honour, both Robertson and Van Dijk carried floral tributes before the service began, a simple but touching gesture. Though the church was reserved for family and close friends, the public had the chance to join via livestream, witnessing a service that reflected the character of both Jota and André. It was not just about remembering their footballing careers, but about the lives they lived with humility and grace. Arne Slot's Emotional Tribute Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title just weeks earlier, offered words that captured the rawness of the moment. Advertisement 'What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw?' Slot did not speak as a manager but as someone who had known and cared deeply for Jota. 'Diogo was not just our player,' he said. 'He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate, and in all of those roles, he was very special.' He reflected on their final conversation, a memory now frozen in time. '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.' Advertisement Legacy Etched in Red Liverpool has always understood the weight of its badge in moments of tragedy. From the floral tributes laid outside Anfield to the public unity shown in Portugal, the club continues to honour Jota not just with words but with action. Slot promised: 'When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals, and we will sing his song.' Until then, the focus remains on mourning and on supporting those left behind. Diogo Jota may have worn the number 20 shirt, but he meant so much more. His talent was obvious, his humility even more so. As fans, teammates and friends continue to pay respects, one truth remains certain: he will never be forgotten.
New York Times
34 minutes ago
- New York Times
Real Madrid vs Dortmund live updates: Club World Cup predictions, team news and latest score
Hello! And welcome along to The Athletic where we were nearing the championship rounds at the Club World Cup. This game, between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at MetLife Stadium, is the last of the quarter-final ties and then there will be just three more matches. There are storylines everywhere you look here with this fixture being a repeat of the 2024 Champions League while also pitting Jude Bellingham against his former club, and now the employers of his brother. Plenty of time to go until this one gets underway, so stick with us.
