Diogo Jota funeral begins as Liverpool players arrive with special tributes
The funeral of Diogo Jota takes place on Saturday morning
Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, football players for Liverpool FC, carry floral tributes as they arrive with teammates at a funeral held for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
(Image:)
Former team-mates have joined the family of Diogo Jota to pay their respects as the Liverpool player and his brother Andre Silva are laid to rest on Saturday morning.
Jota and his sibling were tragically killed in a car crash in Spain earlier this week when the vehicle they were travelling in suffered a tyre blowout.
The news rocked the footballing world, with tributes pouring in for Jota and his brother, who was also a professional footballer.
Today's funeral takes place in Gondomar, outside Porto, with a wake held last night where hundreds gathered at the Capela da Ressurreicao to pay their respects to the Portuguese sportsmen.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports' CEO of Football Michael Edwards were in attendance to represent the club.
Today, Liverpool and international team-mates will join with Jota's family to lay him to rest.
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Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at Igreja Matriz, told CNN Portugal: "The bodies of the two brothers will be taken to the Easter chapel to pray tomorrow and then there will be a funeral. We are ready to join people in remembering their lives. At the same time, we share the pain, as well as the hope of the believers."
Portugal's President of the Assembly, Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, explained how Jota was an example to the people of Portugal, saying: "It is very sad news for national and international sport.
Liverpool's Joe Gomez and Arne Slot arrive at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
(Image: PA Wire. )
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. As a footballer, Diogo Jota has always represented the Portuguese national football team with great pride.
"He has great talent and hard work, becoming an example for many young people because of the way he pursues his career. In the National Assembly, on July 4, a vote of condolence will be held, I will present, in memory of these two young men and the legacy they left for the national sport."
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk arrived with Andy Robertson carrying flowers in the shape of his Liverpool 20 shirt, Jota's squad number at Anfield, and Andre Silva's No 30. Ex-Reds man Fabinho was also in attendance, along with Man City's Portuguese stars Bernardo Silva and Ruben Dias.
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch (right) and Curtis Jones (left) arrive at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
(Image: PA Wire. )
Former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho was also pictured arriving at the venue.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is also in attendance.
Others set to be there include Curtis Jones, Alexis MacAllister, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo.
Former players, including Jordan Henderson and James Milner, are also expected.
The funeral is set to start at 10am today.
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Jota's Reds team-mate Mohamed Salah paid his own tribute on social media.
He posted: "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."
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