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Irish Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota funeral updates as Liverpool stars join family at emotional service
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."
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool bosses mourn at Diogo Jota wake with Premier League stars & team-mates
Mourners from far and wide have been congregating in the town of Gondomar, at the Capela da Ressurreicao, to pay tribute and show their affections for Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, following their tragic deaths Sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports' CEO of Football Michael Edwards led a Liverpool delegation in paying tribute to Diogo Jota at his wake in Portugal on Friday night. Former Kop stars Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho, as well as Manchester United's Diogo Dalot - an international team-mate of Jota - also attended the Capela da Ressurreicao in Gondomar, the tragic striker's home town. The world of football has been in mourning following the death of Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, on Thursday. The pair both lost their lives following a car 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. Mourners gathered at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, ahead of the brothers' funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme at 10am on Saturday. Initially held in private for family it was later opened up to the public with hundreds queuing around the 17th-century church. Liverpool are preparing to bid an emotional farewell to Jota and his brother at the funeral on Saturday. Liverpool have yet to confirm arrangements but a number of players are expected to attend. Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, now the president of Porto, was among those who attended the church to pay the club's respects. Speaking afterwards he said: 'They left behind a lot of history. Diogo has a history in the senior team and André has many years from the children's team to the under-19s. 'Diogo, especially as a major public figure, was a silent hero. We all appreciated everything he represented, not only on the field, but also off it. He was a partner of FC Porto with its Esports team. Someone who will be well remembered, just like his brother. 'Let us hope that the memory of these two athletes, two great men, will live on in time.' Nottingham Forest's Jota Silva, born in Gondomar, and Jota's former Wolves and Portugal team-mate Joao Moutinho were among those to attend the chapel, along with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation Pedro Proenca and super agent Jorge Mendes, who broke down in tears outside the venue. A delegation from Paços de Ferreira, Jota's first club, laid a yellow wreath The country's president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and prime minister Luis Montenegro both attended in person, while members of the Portuguese parliament paid tribute to the two brothers too. Mohamed Salah, one of the last Liverpool players to share his grief on social media, admitted he was dreading returning to the club in the wake of Jota's shock death. Some players were due back on Friday to begin the preliminaries of pre-season testing but the first tranche of a phased return was postponed as everyone at the club continues to try to come to terms with the tragedy. '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,' Salah wrote on social media. '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.' Diogo Jota's wedding caterer has also paid tribute to the star and told how he saw him at his happiest on the day of the nuptials. Rui Paula, who has two michelin stars, said: 'The last time I saw him was at the wedding. On the last day, he had a meal with Rute (his wife) and the children, and then got in the car to go to Liverpool. His wife was supposed to follow today, Friday, with the children. 'The wedding was all organised, very beautiful. I did the catering, there was a band playing, he was happy. The wedding was at the Igreja da Lapa, in Porto, and the catering was in Marco de Canaveses. He arrived and asked me to prepare him something to eat because he was hungry, as the wedding had been delayed. But when I went to Liverpool for the menu tasting, for the wedding, he was also happy. "At the wedding he was super happy. At a wedding there's always some worry and anxiety, but he was very happy, completely happy. They met very young, had three children, lived in Liverpool, and that's where I got to know them better. "What I feel is that they are all humble people; fame hasn't gone to their heads, they're impeccable people, and Diogo was a simple, professional, dedicated, gentle, kind young man - everything you could wish for in a good person. This is a huge tragedy, because just think, his parents have lost two children, and his wife is left with three little ones. They had only been married for 15 days on Sunday. 'All of Portugal is shaken - I can't remember seeing people so affected, so sad. His character was that of a good person, even if you didn't know him, you could look at him and see he was a good person. Low profile, grounded, didn't flaunt his wealth, he was an impeccable young man. May God rest his soul. 'On the pitch he was a professional, but off the pitch he was even better. 'I just want to say, these moments are so painful, so intense… this is a tragedy, isn't it? And so, what I wish for the family is a lot of strength. If there's any purpose to this happening? I don't know if there is. Hold on to faith as well, because it's very hard for a parent to lose two children and for Rute to be left with three children on her own. "They have to be strong people, try to carry this in as light a way as possible. Because the pain of this tragedy will be immense. "I wish them a lot of strength, a lot of love, and that they stay united to steer this ship to a safe harbour, because it will be a heavy ship. And I want to say that Diogo Jota was an absolutely wonderful person.'
