Diogo Jota funeral updates as Liverpool stars join family at emotional service

Irish Daily Mirror

05-07-2025

The family of Diogo Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, have been joined by the tragic Liverpool striker's team-mates, Premier League stars, Anfield chiefs and thousands of fans as they lay their sons to rest on Saturday morning.
The emotional ceremony, which begins at 10am, takes place in Gondomar, outside Porto, following Friday night's wake and widespread tributes to the duo, who sadly died on Thursday.
The Premier League footballer and his younger brother both lost their lives in a devastating crash near Zamora close to Spain's north-west border with Portugal. The tragic incident occurred just days after Jota's marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso - who had to identify her husband and his brother after the crash.
Hundreds attended the wake at the Capela da Ressurreicao on Friday, with Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports' CEO of Football Michael Edwards leading an LFC delegation. A number of Liverpool stars are also in attendance on Saturday, along with former Kop players Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho - as well as Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Manchester City's Bernardo Silva - having all paid tribute on Friday.
Keep up with all the latest from Gondomar, as the footballing world comes together to pay tribute and say farewell to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
Despite only being at Anfield for a year, Arne Slot has not only delivered success on the pitch, but assumed the ambassadorial role so associated with being Liverpool boss.
Having navigated the difficult experience of the parade crash, the Dutchman was again left to speak on another tragic incident. And he delivered a powerful statement in the hours following Jota's tragic death.
"What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not," Slot began. "All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
"My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of LiverpoolFootball Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.
"This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.
"For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. 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."
Slot continued: "When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.
"That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.
"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."
As the private ceremony continues, there remains a number of mourners around the church, with the local community very present in Gondomar.
Both brothers are going to be buried in the churchyard, which is surrounded by olive trees, less than 100 metres away from the church where the service took place.
The group is now heading towards a cemetery for a private ceremony. People around the church applaud those in the huge group of guests.
Mourners are now being led out of the church by a priest carrying a silver crucifix. Other priests are carrying candles and incense
Jota's coffin was carried out of the church after that of his brother Andre's. Jota's wife Rute, wearing white, was clearly emotional
It appears the funeral service is ending as people begin to exit the church. Clearly a difficult moment for all involved as they begin to line either side of the doorway.
The priests then once again lead a procession outside of the building.
Members of the congregation appeared emotional as Bach's Air On the G String was played.
Thousands of people, including some wearing football shirts, continue to listen to the service via loud speakers set up outside the church.
The Liverpool posted on social media earlier and is in Brazil currently.
"Usually, I post things that make sense, but today, nothing makes sense! Once again, an ocean separates me from 'saying goodbye' to someone I love! But I know that I am well represented by my club mates! To you, my friend @rutecfcardoso14 , just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible!"In a moment like this, all we can do is bow down before the Sovereignty of God, and receive grace and help in this time! I'll remember Diogo as a great friend, father and husband!"
The scenes are moving at Anfield too as people continue to pay tribute to Diogo Jota and reflect over a scene dominated by flowers and flags.
An organist is leading hymns, which have so far have included The Lord is My Shepherd and Hallelujah.
A eulogy is read across the speaker: "We are present with you. There will be tears and prayers. Tears, it is human. We are not insensitive when people have broken hearts. In this prayer, in mass we have heard gospel.
"We are here in solidarity and love and both are stronger than death," it continued.
Mourners, including Jota's wife Rute, have now entered the church.
Rute looked distraught and had to be supported by family members who appeared to be helping hold her up. She was walking near the coffin.
Former Wolves star Ruben Neves, who now plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, was helping to carry the coffin.
As organ music played, mourners could be seen crying as they joined the procession into the church.
Both coffins were carried through the front doors of the church to the sound of violins and applause.
In heartbreaking scenes, Jota's wife Rute, who was wearing white, held onto the back of her husband's coffin and openly wept.
It scarcely appears that everyone can fit in the church as the Catholic service gets underway.
The coffins have now been taken into the church and the toiling of the bells has been replaced by stringed instruments as everyone makes their way in.
There are emotional scenes as mourners attempt to comfort each other and slowly make their way inside, many heads bowed.
The duo are now being carried through a procession and into the church. Priests are being followed by the funeral's attendees.
The bells are ringing now as the funeral gets underway in Gondomar.
Former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves broke down during the Club World Cup last night and has since travelled to Portugal to attend the funeral of his good friend.
Joao Cancelo also struggled in that match and has arrived in Gondomar a matter of hours later.
The Manchester United midfielder, an international team-mate of Jota, has arrived as players from across Europ attend the funeral.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is the latest to have arrived at the church. He has joined the group of current Reds stars, seen next to defender Joe Gomez and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Darwin Nunez is also in attendance, having all been present at the chapel of rest on Friday.
Mac Allister paid his own tribute on social media: "I can't believe it. I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you a person. It hurts a lot, we will miss you.
"Rest in peace dear Diogo"
Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson carry flowers in tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva with their corresponding shirt numbers.
Liverpool players look to have arrived for the funeral with Virgil van Dijk carrying flowers in the shape of his Liverpool 20 shirt.
Andy Robertson was carrying a shirt with the number 30.
Ex-Liverpool player Fabinho has also arrived.
Man City captain Bernardo Silva has now arrived to the church, applauded by the assembled crowd of mourners. Jota's international team-mate was carrying a large bunch of white flowers for Diogo and his brother Andre.
Ahead of the funeral beginning around 10am, the arrivals continue with former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho among the most recent.
Salah admitted it will be difficult to return to Liverpool after his team-mate's tragic death, as the reality of the situation hits at a squad who lifted the Premier League title just two months ago.
He posted on social media: "I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. Team mates come and go but not like this.
"It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back. My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten."
Outside the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar a briefing has been provided to the media.
Understandably, the family wants to the ceremony to be private and that yesterday's wake was found too instense after hundreds made their way to pay their respects.
The sound of the service will be played outside but nobody is to enter the church and an area is being created for people to gather.
Jota's former team-mate Nelson Semedo, who he played alongside at Wolves and internationally has arrived for the funeral.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has also arrived. Jota won the Nations League playing under the Spaniard last month.
Nelson Semedo, who briefly played with Jota at Wolves, before lining up with him on international duty has arrived. As has manager Roberto Martinez.
Martinez released an emotional statement earlier this week: "We have all been affected by this tragedy. We are all devastated.
"Our thoughts go to his wife Rute, their three children and the rest of the family, and to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's friends," Martinez continued.
"We have created a family in the national team that goes far beyond football. And Diogo is an important part of that — on and off the field.
"His professionalism and belief were both contagious and exemplary. On the pitch, Diogo wore the jersey with pride and his work on the field is world-class.
"We feel the family's pain and, in this tragedy, we question life in general. Portugal will miss one of its heroes."
Man City defender and international team-mate of Diogo Jota, Ruben Dias, is among the first arrivals to the church in Gondomar.
Dias, dressed all in black was carrying a small bouquet of white roses.
A Portuguse TV reporter in attendance has also suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are due to arrive.
And of course, we must - and never will - forget that there were two brothers inside the car in that tragic incident. Andre Silva, may have not been as household a name as his brother, but he was still enjoying a career in the professional game.
The 26-year-old, like his older brother came through at hometown team Gondomar and also had a stint with Porto. He then jopined second tier Portuguese side FC Penafiel in 2023, where he was contracted at the time of the pair's tragic death.
Jota was a huge fan of his younger sibling's talents and wasn't afraid to let it be known. Appearing on ESPN's Ball Knowledge in January of this year, Jota was asked what players he enjoyed watching the most, and why.
Without skipping a beat, Jota said: "My brother," before adding: "My brother plays in the second division in Portugal, [he is] by far the one I most enjoyed."