Liverpool players and boss arrive in Portugal to attend Diogo Jota's funeral
The father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, was killed alongside his brother Andre Silva after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The players, who also included Curtis Jones, Federico Chiesa, Wataru Endo and former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, arrived at the Portuguese chapel to applause from crowds standing nearby.
The funeral is set to begin at 10am on Saturday, according to parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, Jose Manuel Macedo.
It comes after family and friends gathered for the brothers' wake on Friday, with a queue forming outside the Portuguese chapel.
The brothers' parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Friday, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota's agent also among attendees.
People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool shirt and making a heart sign with his hands.
Liverpool postponed the return of players for pre-season following Jota's death, as a number of players past and present paid tribute.
A sea of floral tributes had been left outside Anfield, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects.
Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support.
Jota and Silva were both found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday.
Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at.
Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle.
No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident.
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Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Diogo Jota mourners turn on Cristiano Ronaldo saying they are 'sad' and 'disappointed' that he didn't go to funeral
In the Portuguese cemetery of Gondomar, where Diogo Jota and his brother were laid to rest today, the smell of flowers is overpowering. Liverpool winger Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, were killed when their Lamborghini crashed in the early hours of Thursday morning in northern Spain. Just 11 days before, Jota married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, also 28, who is the mother of his two sons Dinis, four, and Duarte, two as well as his baby daughter Mafalda, who is just eight months old. Almost every person who spoke to the Mail told of their anguish at the thought of the brother's parents losing two sons and of Jota's new bride losing the love of her life. But while his distraught family and the whole of Portugal mourned, one notable face was missing - Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's talismanic striker, was not at the funeral or the wake. This afternoon, furious mourners criticised the Portugal captain for not attending. Liliana Monteito, 44, paid her respects to Jota and his brother at the cemetery after the funeral with her son Paulo, 16. Liliana told MailOnline: 'He's the captain of the team. It's really sad to see all the [players from] Liverpool come here to Portugal but [from] the Portuguese team, only a few players come. I saw many fake videos of him coming here but it didn't happen. 'I feel there was low support from the Portuguese team. It's really, really sad for the family and also for Portugal.' After the funeral, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said: 'These are really, really sad days, as you can imagine. 'But today we showed we are a large, close family. We are Portugal and it was esssential for us that for Andre Silva and Diogo Jota, we are together and we will always be together. 'Their spirit will be with us forever.' However, Liliana said the fact Ronaldo and other members of the Portugal squad did not come told another story. She said: 'We didn't see a team. Not at all.' Other fans told MailOnline at their sadness that their greatest player had not shown his support in this most tragic hour. Portugal fan Ines Almeida was seen in tears at Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's wake yesterday. Today, she watched the funeral from the road in front of the church. She said she was angry at the Portuguese captain for not showing his face. Porto fan Martim Fonseca, who also stood outside the church, said: 'It's a surprise we didn't see him here. It's sad.' Ines is seen wrapped in the Portuguese flag as she appeared emotional during a public wake for Jota and his brother Andre on Friday Portugal fan Carla Matos was watching the funeral with her son Alfonso and husband Paulo. She said her son was 'disappointed' that Ronaldo wasn't at the funeral. Carla added: 'We are very upset. I'm surprised he didn't come.' Cristiano has been holidaying Majorca, with videos supposedly showing him swimming of the coast of the Meditterranean island, Majorcan newspaper Ultima Hora reported on Friday. It went on to report the Portuguese star had been seen in the upmarket resort of Illetes on Majorca's south-west coastline and the port of Andratx on board his £5.5 million 88-feet long Azimut Grande yacht. Cristiano last holidayed in Majorca with his family three years ago. Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and manager Arne Slot travelled to Portugal to pay their respects, while other teammates including Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott joined them. Manchester City 's Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias and Manchester United 's back Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes all Portuguese national team players, were among the footballers who packed into the church this morning - the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. Portugal internationals Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, seen in tears on Friday night before their Club World Cup clash in Orlando, also made it to the church on time along with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. Thousands lined the streets today to pay tribute to the two brothers from Gondomar, near Porto. When the Liverpool team arrived, they were greeted with applause from the crowd. The Penafiel team, who Jota's brother Andre wore the number 30 shirt for, received a similar welcome. The crowds fell silent at 10am today as the Jota family bore the two brothers' coffins into the parish church. Jota's wife of just 11 days, Rute Cardoso, 28, had to be held up by a friend as she wept and clung onto her husband's casket. Dressed completely in white less than two weeks after their wedding, she clutched a cream-coloured rose as she bravely walked past the crowds into the church. During the service, the bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda spoke directly to Jota's children, who didn't not attend the service. He said: 'Dear Dinis, Mafalda and Duarte, children who are not here. 'Right now you suffer immensely or maybe not because you don't realise it. I will pray a lot for you. 'Those who suffer a lot are your mother and your grandparents. Seeing the remains of a child must be a great torment, but when there are two coffins there are no words. 'But there are feelings. We are here to say that we also suffer a lot. We are here affectionately with you. It's human to cry.' He added: 'Your father married 11 days before this event. If it's hard to see an adult cry, it's harder to see a child. 'I send you a special greeting for your mother and grandparents. I'm with you but Jesus is also with you.' The brothers were buried in Gondomar's cemetery. Their family will hold a seventh day mass to share stories and pray for them on July 9.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Diogo Jota graveyard quickly shut and police called as fans take selfies
Diogo Jota graveyard quickly shut and police called as fans take selfies Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre were laid to rest in a joint funeral service on Saturday, two days after their fatal car crash Police monitor the crowd close to the burial site of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre (Image: Phil Harris ) The public was barred from entering the graveyard after Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva on Saturday morning were buried this morning. The siblings were laid to rest at a church in Gondomar, close to Porto, Portugal, after their fatal car accident in the early hours of Thursday morning. A host of famous faces from the football world attended the poignant ceremony at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Catholic church. Among those present were Jota's Liverpool team-mates, such as Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, as well as numerous Portuguese international players. The burial came after a private wake on Friday, which Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, whom he wed last month, attended alongside the rest of his family. Despite the deeply emotional funeral, it was conducted with respect, until issues emerged later on. Following the burial for Jota and his brother Andre, the cemetery was initially reopened to the public. However, it had to be closed again shortly after due to "disrespectful" individuals who started taking selfies with the graves. Scores of football supporters lined the streets of Gondomar to observe the funeral from a distance. While most behaved respectfully, the reopening of the graveyard led to disturbances that required police intervention, reports the Mirror. Police were in attendance at the burial site (Image: Daily Mirror ) Article continues below The football community is mourning after Jota and his brother died when their Lamborghini veered off the road in north-west Spain and burst into flames on Thursday morning. The funeral, marked by profound sorrow, saw an overwhelming outpouring of grief from the world of football. Jota's Wolves and Portugal team-mate, Ruben Neves, made a heartfelt journey from the United States, where he had been competing in the Club World Cup just hours before, to help carry his close friend's casket. Sign up to the Don't Take Me Home newsletter here . Bishop of Porto Dom Manuel Linda led the emotional service. Addressing Jota's three children, who were not present, the Bishop offered a poignant message, where he explained why so many people had attended the hour-long ceremony. Ruben Neves helps carry the coffin (Image: Getty Images ) Through a trembling voice, he promised to pray "a lot" for them and said to those gathered, including Jota's wife Rute, "If it is difficult to see an adult cry, it is even more difficult to see a child cry". He continued: "The ones who suffer a lot are your mother and your grandparents. Seeing the mortal remains of a child must be a greater torment, but when there are two urns there are no words." Article continues below Manchester City's Bernardo Silva was among those attending the service and said: "I can't even imagine the pain felt by the family, by Rute, by the children, by the parents. For André and Jota. I must say a little about Jota, who was a great friend to all of us. "His career, although not the most important, speaks for itself. He didn't train at any of the big clubs and took the most difficult paths. His passion, will and determination allowed him to succeed in life and have a brilliant career. "More important than that, as a person... the memories that remain... Jota will always be in our hearts. He will always be present at every breakfast, lunch, dinner, national team gathering, PlayStation or card game."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Portugal release touching Diogo Jota tribute video after the Liverpool star's death at 28
Portugal released a moving tribute video after Diogo Jota 's death, which included highlights of his career and moments off the pitch with the national team. Jota, 28, and his brother Andre, 26 - also a footballer, who played for Portuguese second division side Penafiel - both died on Thursday following a tragic car crash in Spain. His Lamborghini Huracan had a tyre blow out while he attempted to overtake another vehicle on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora - just ten miles over the border from Portugal. The football world have joined together in paying their respects to the Liverpool star, whose funeral was held in his hometown Gomorah in Portugal on Saturday morning. The national team shared a video across their social media accounts, captioned: 'You will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota.' It culminated with a clip of Jota lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy, which he won with Portugal against Spain last month. Serás para sempre recordado. Descansa em paz, Diogo Jota. 🤍 You will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota. 🤍 — Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2025 After making his senior debut for Portugal in 2019, Jota made 49 appearances for his country, scoring 14 goals. The details of Jota's crash have been thoroughly documented in its aftermath. Jota's car is said to have rolled and burst into flames, with emergency services unable to save him and his brother. No other vehicles were involved, police said. The siblings were heading to Santander to catch a ferry to Britain after Diogo was advised not to fly following lung surgery, it was reported in his home country. Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash and two fatalities at around 12.35am on Thursday. Diogo and Andre's deaths were then confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation at around 8am. Jota's death sent shockwaves through the footballing world and fans have gathered in their hundreds to lay and offer their condolences. Tributes from all over have poured in since Jota's tragic accident, with the sport's biggest names - such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - leading the testimonials. The tragedy came just days after Jota married his new wife Rute Cardoso - who he shares three young children with - on June 22. On Friday, hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Gondomar to pay their final respects to Jota at the city's chapel. Fans snaked around the Portuguese principality as the tearful crowd queued to honour the Premier League hero before his funeral. Mourners sobbed and carried roses and national team scarves in homage to Jota, who won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal less than a month ago. Aerial footage showed queues stretching from the small chapel, around the corner to the nearby church where his funeral will be held. Jota's heartbroken wife and parents gathered at a wake and held a vigil at the coffins of the former Wolves striker and his brother Andre. The town overlooking Porto is where the couple met and started dating as teenagers. They married two weeks ago and have three young children. Diogo and Andre's mother Isabel, father Joaquim and their grandfather were emotional on arriving at the chapel. Joaquim hugged several people and was supported by his brother and later raised a hand to mourners as he left with his wife. They returned around an hour later. Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also attended the wake along with Jota's agent Jorge Mendes. The President of Portugal, Marcelo de Sousa, came later. The wake got underway on Friday afternoon ahead of funeral mass in the neighbouring church - the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar - at 10am on Saturday. Many big names attended Jota's funeral, including some of his Portugal team-mates and the Liverpool squad. Ex-Liverpool club captain Jordan Henderson and James Milner had joined their former team-mates. Members of Liverpool's hierarchy were in attendance, including FSG's chief executive of football Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, sporting director. Family and friends were seen in tears as they carried their coffins into the church. Distraught loved ones, including Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, were seen walking through the the brothers' hometown of Gondomar in tears while other distraught mourners were being held up as they walked. Only family and friends are allowed inside the church, however a livestream with audio of the service, lead by the Bishop of Porto, will be played outside to thousands of mourners who are expected to line the streets to pay their respects. Ruben Neves, who played alongside Jota with Wolves and Portugal, and Joao Cancelo both made transatlantic trips in order to attend the ceremony. Liverpool manager Arne Slot, centre, was solemn as he attended the funeral service The coffins of Jota and Andre Silva were brought into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Members of the brothers' family carry their coffins into the church ahead of the service On Friday night, Neves and Cancelo had played at the Club World Cup in the United States for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
