Latest news with #GondomarTownHall
Irish Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota and brother's bodies arrive at church as mourners gather
Irish football fans are in mourning after the tragic passing of Liverpool's star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a horrific car accident in Spain on Thursday. Their bodies were escorted to a church, in Jota's hometown of Gondomar near Porto, amidst a crowd of sorrowful mourners ahead of this weekend's funerals. Emergency teams arrived promptly at the scene but tragically could not save the brothers from the fiery wreckage. Tributes have been flooding in from all corners of the soccer community since the tragic news was confirmed. Liverpool issued an array of moving tributes, while colleagues and former teammates expressed their profound sympathies. Meanwhile, plans are being drawn up for an official send-off for the pair. On Thursday night, hearses delivered their bodies to the church, where early mourners had already congregated to honour the pair, with more expected on Friday. Rev. Jose Manuel Macedo confirmed the scheduling of a private wake in the town on Friday starting at 8am in Capela de Ressurreicao, and a funeral service on Saturday at 10am at the local Igreja Matriz catholic church, reports the Mirror. "We're available to celebrate [their life] with everyone and to share the pain and the Christian hope," stated Macedo in comments to CNN. Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes, was among those who accompanied the star's mother at the funeral home. Overcome with emotion, he said: "We lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, professional. I still can't believe it, it's very difficult." The funerals of both men is scheduled to take place just half an hour away from Porto, Portugal. This is also where the 28 year old footballer married Rute Cardoso just a fortnight ago. Ahead of the wake, Gondomar Town Hall released a statement expressing their deepest condolences: "Gondomar Town Hall expresses its deepest sympathy at the death of international footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, illustrious Gondomar residents who left prematurely, leaving behind a remarkable sporting career and an example of dedication and professionalism. "Throughout his career, Diogo Jota stood out for his footballing talent and for the committed way in which he always represented the region and the country, winning national and international recognition. "At this time of sorrow and consternation, Gondomar Town Hall extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of these two Gondomar residents. "In tribute, the Mayor of Gondomar, Luis Filipe Araujo, has decreed by official order a day of municipal mourning to be observed this Friday, 4 July. During this period, the municipal flag will be flown at half-mast in all municipal buildings and facilities." Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother were driving to catch a ferry from Santander back to the UK after being advised by doctors not to fly, however they never made it to their destination after being involved in the tragic accident. The Reds are set to return for pre-season testing on Monday, but will instead pay tribute to their star, as confirmed by Liverpool boss Arne Slot in an emotional statement. He said: "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. "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." Tributes have flooded in from players, supporters and clubs across the country, after news of his tragic death. "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. ". As a mark of respect, flags were lowered to half-mast at both Anfield and Molineux, while fans flocked to the grounds to pay their respects with flowers, scarves and other poignant gestures.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota and brother's bodies greeted by heartbroken mourners ahead of funeral
Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a devastating car crash in Spain on Thursday with their funerals now set to take place in their homeland of Portugal over the weekend The bodies of Diogo Jota and his brother arrived at a church in Portugal surrounded by mourners ahead of the pair's funerals at the weekend. The Liverpool star and his sibling Andre Silva died in a devastating car crash in Spain on Thursday evening. Emergency services were quickly on the scene but were unable to save either Jota or his brother as flames engulfed their vehicle. An outpouring of grief and tributes have come from across the footballing landscape since the news was shared. Liverpool shared a series of touching messages, while current and former teammates of both men have shared their own heartfelt tributes. And while the footballing world is still reeling at the tragedy, planning is already underway for an official farewell to both men. Their bodies arrived at a church in Gondomar, Portugal late on Thursday evening via hearse. Dozens of mourners were already gathered to pay their respects, with more expected to attend on Friday. Jose Manuel Macedo, the local parish priest, confirmed that a private wake would take place in the Portuguese town on Friday, beginning at 8am. It was set to take place at Capela de Ressurreicao. A funeral service is also expected to be held at the nearby catholic church Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. 'We're available to celebrate [their life] with everyone and to share the pain and the Christian hope,' Macedo told CNN. Jota's agent Jorge Mendes was among those to accompany the star's mother at the funeral home. In tears, he said: 'We lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, professional. I still can't believe it, it's very difficult.' The funeral of both men is set to take place just half an hour away from the Portuguese city of Porto, where they both grew up. It was also the same place that the 28-year-old married Rute Cardoso just two weeks ago. Ahead of the wake, a statement from Gondomar Town Hall read: 'Gondomar Town Hall expresses its deepest sympathy at the death of international footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, illustrious Gondomar residents who left prematurely, leaving behind a remarkable sporting career and an example of dedication and professionalism. 'Throughout his career, Diogo Jota stood out for his footballing talent and for the committed way in which he always represented the region and the country, winning national and international recognition. 'At this time of sorrow and consternation, Gondomar Town Hall extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of these two Gondomar residents. 'By way of tribute, the Mayor of Gondomar Luis Filipe Araujo, has decreed by official order a day of municipal mourning to be observed this Friday, 4 July. During this period, the municipal flag will be flown at half-mast in all municipal buildings and facilities.' Jota and his brother were driving to catch a ferry from Santander back to the UK after being advised by doctors not to fly. But they never reached their destination after being involved in the fatal accident. Liverpool are set to return for pre-season testing on Monday. But instead, the Reds will now be paying tribute to their star, as confirmed by Liverpool boss Arne Slot in an emotional statement. He said: '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. '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.' Fans and supporters have since been leaving tributes at both Anfield and Molineux, while flags have been flown at half-mast as a show of respect. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ou Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Diogo Jota's wife and family arrive at chapel for private wake of Liverpool star
Diogo Jota's grieving wife has arrived at the chapel where the Liverpool star's coffin has been taken for a private wake ahead of Saturday's funeral. Rute Cardoso, who only married the 28-year-old footballer on June 22, headed to Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar where the couple met and started dating as teenagers early this morning after returning with her partner's body from Spain late last night. Father-of-three Diogo was killed in the early hours of Thursday morning along with his footballer brother Andre Silva when their acid green 200mph £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan burst into flames after a suspected tyre blowout on the A-52 highway near Zamora in north-west Spain. They were heading to the northern Spanish port city of Santander to catch a ferry to the UK after the Liverpool player and Portuguese international was advised not to travel by plane following lung surgery. The siblings' mum, Isabel, and their grandfather were also spotted at the chapel this morning. Family members were filmed embracing each other as they broke down in tears before walking together towards the chapel. The wake proper is set to start around 4pm, with Portugal's president Marcelo de Sousa confirming he will be among those arriving at that time to pay their last respects ahead of a funeral mass in the neighbouring church - the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar - at 10am on Saturday. It is not yet clear how public the wake will be. The chapel and neighbouring church are around a half-hour drive from the church in Porto where Diogo and his wife got married less than two weeks ago. Local priest Jose Manuel Macedo initially revealed the funeral would take place at 4pm today before confirming yesterday evening it had been put back to Saturday morning. It is understood the delay was linked to minor paperwork issues the men's loved ones, who were still in Spain until late yesterday, were trying to resolve before being able to repatriate the bodies. Gondomar Town Hall issued an emotional statement late yesterday as it confirmed it had decreed a day of official mourning. It said: 'Gondomar Town Hall expresses its deepest sympathy at the death of international footballer Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, illustrious Gondomar residents who left prematurely, leaving behind a remarkable sporting career and an example of dedication and professionalism. 'Throughout his career, Diogo Jota stood out for his footballing talent and for the committed way in which he always represented the region and the country, winning national and international recognition. At this time of sorrow and consternation, Gondomar Town Hall extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of these two Gondomar residents. 'By way of tribute, the Mayor of Gondomar Luis Filipe Araujo, has decreed by official order a day of municipal mourning to be observed this Friday, 4 July. 'During this period, the municipal flag will be flown at half-mast in all municipal buildings and facilities.' The mayor described Diogo Jota today as 'an extraordinary talent and a true ambassador for Gondomar' where he grew up and went to school. He said: 'He stood out for taking the name of the municipality and Portugal to the biggest stages of European and world football with humility, dedication and an enormous sense of responsibility.' The town hall statement added: 'Diogo Jose Teixeira da Silva, known in the world of football as Diogo Jota, and his brother, Andre Filipe Teixeira da Silva, were born in Gondomar and trained in the youth teams of Gondomar Sport Clube, standing out from an early age for their passion and commitment to sport. Their career has taken the name of the municipality to great heights. 'Diogo Jota has established himself as one of the main references in Portuguese football, having represented top clubs and the national team with enormous professionalism and talent, projecting Gondomar and Portugal onto the international stage. Andre Silva, too, shared the same sporting spirit and always honoured his homeland with his commitment and dignified attitude, setting an example of dedication that made all Gondomar residents proud. Gondomar Town Hall therefore joins in the mourning of the family and all those who feel this irreparable loss deeply, remembering Diogo Jota and Andre Silva as two citizens who, through their lives and careers, honoured the municipality and left a mark that will remain in the collective memory.' In a separate tribute Rui Paula, the chef at Diogo Silva's wedding, said: 'Heartbreaking news... less than two weeks ago we were celebrating one of the happiest days of your life. Today, we are confronted with this unimaginable tragedy. 'It's impossible to put into words the shock and sadness we feel. You were more than an icon in our midst, who gave so much of yourself for all of us. 'Above all, you were a person of contagious friendliness, always in a good mood, full of life and with a huge heart. Our thoughts are with the family and all those who loved Diogo and Andre. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
