Friends and family of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota were united in grief today as they gathered for the funeral of the 28-year-old forward.
Distraught loved ones gathered in Portugal for a heart-breaking service to bid a final farewell to the Portuguese star and his brother Andre Silva, 25, who both died following a car accident on Thursday.
Tearful mourners, including Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, were seen walking through the brothers’ hometown of Gondomar as they made their way into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar earlier today.
Rute, 28, who shares three young children with Jota – two boys and a girl -was dressed all in white, clutching a cream-coloured rose as she placed her hand on her husband’s casket as it was taken into the church.
Only family and friends were allowed inside, however a livestream with audio of the service, lead by D. Manuel Linda, the Bishop of Porto, was played outside to thousands of mourners who lined the streets to pay their respects.
In a heartfelt message to Jota’s three children, who did not attend the funeral service, the Bishop said he would ‘pray a lot for you’ and told the congregation ‘if it is difficult to see an adult cry, it is even more difficult to see a child cry’.
‘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,’ he added.
Current and former teammates of the Premier League star including a host of Liverpool and Portuguese players, appeared emotional as they attended the funeral today alongside friends and family.
They included current captain Virgil Van Dijk, who held a flower arrangement in the shape of Diogo’s shirt with the number 20, and Andy Robertson, who carried a red shirt bearing Andre’s number 30.
Floral tributes bearing the shirt numbers of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva are placed on their graves in a cemetary in Gondomar
Mourners gather to pay their respects at the graves of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva are in a cemetary in Gondomar
Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso places her hand on the coffin of her late husband as it is taken inside the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar
Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso is consoled by a friend as she follows the coffins of the 28-year-old and his brother Andre Silva, 25, during a joint funeral service
A poster of Andre Silva is carried as the coffins are walked to the Church ahead of the funeral for him and his brother Diogo Jota
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota (pictured) and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident on Thursday
Andre (left) and Diogo pictured in their Porto FC kits. The pair both played for the team’s academy
Jota pictured during his wedding with wife Rute Cardoso – who he shares three young children with – on June 22. The footballer died in a car accident with his brother just weeks later
Thousands of people gathered in and around the church, including those who showed up to support the family.
The funeral began with the Lord’s Prayer, before a eulogy was read out. The service lasted for around an hour.
An organist led hymns inside the church including The Lord is My Shepherd, Hallelujah and Bach’s Air On A G String.
The funeral mass was led by D. Manuel Linda, the Bishop of Porto, and in his homily he left a message to the three children of Portuguese international Jota.
‘Dear Dinis, Mafalda and Duarte, children who are not here. At this moment you are suffering immensely or perhaps not because you do not realize it. I will pray a lot for you,’ he said.
‘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.
‘But there are feelings. We are here to say that we also suffered a lot. We are here with you emotionally.
‘It’s human to cry. Too bad for us if we didn’t.’
Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson, Alexis Mac Allister and James Milner leave the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar
Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk, defender Joe Gomez and defender Andy Robertson leave the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar following Jota and Andre’s funeral service
Liverpool manager Arne Slot leaves the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Mourners leave the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva being held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in the town of Gondomar
The congregation leaves the church in Gondomar following the funeral service on Saturday
Relatives follow the coffin of Portuguese football player Diogo Jota carried out of the church after a joint funeral for him and his brother Andre
Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso walks behind the coffin of her late husband following his funeral service
Liverpool player Virgil Van Dijk (centre) attends the funeral of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Mourners gather at the graves of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in Gondomar
The Bishop continued: ‘May we have faith and hope in the resurrection. This communion of life is achieved through baptism and works. Your father got married 11 days before this event.
‘Good works: both of you rose in life through your sacrifices. Always respecting your fellow man.
‘Serious, respectable people. With a particular aptitude. The Church likes sports. Sports have enormous potential to bring together different people. Where they come together: respect, discipline… There are many values of sports.
‘If it is difficult to see an adult cry, it is even more difficult to see a child cry. I send you a special greeting for your mother and grandparents. I am with you but Jesus is also with you.’
The song Ave Maria was played as the coffins were carried out of the church this afternoon, with guests comforted each other as they walked behind them.
Jota’s wife Rute was emotional and held the back of her husband’s coffin. Someone beside her placed her arm around her. Those gathered around the church applauded them as they went.
The two brothers will be laid to rest in the cemetery next door to the church, less than 100 metres away. It is surrounded by olive trees.
A seventh day mass will also be held next Wednesday, July 9, at 9pm, in the same church where family members will come together to remember the two brothers, share stories about them and pray.
Former teammates carry the coffins during the funerals of Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Comedian John Bishop, who is from Liverpool, carries a floral arrangement during the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre
President of FC Porto Andre Villas Boas (second from the left) attends the funeral of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, in Gondomar
People take part in a funeral procession of Portuguese footballers and brothers Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Gondomar
Members of the church lead the procession as its makes it way through the streets of Gondomar
Mourners at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva make their way into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in the town of Gondoma to start the funeral service
The coffins of Diogo Jota And Andre Silva are carried by family, former teammates and friends into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar where the funeral is being held
The coffins of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre are carried through the streets of Gondomar during a joint funeral procession
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.
He added: ‘Thank you very much for messages and support from all over the world. It means a lot and today we are all one football family.’
The Portuguese national team also shared a heart wrenching tribute as the funeral took place just after 10am this morning.
They shared a video showing Jota holding the Nation’s League trophy following the their victory in the tournament last month along with several other clips of the forward scoring goals for his national team.
‘You will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota,’ the caption read.
Portugal teammates Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva attended the service today along with Ruben Neves, who was also a pallbearer for Diogo’s coffin.
Despite reports he was spotted in the Mediterranean, there was no sign of Portugal captain Christiano Ronaldo at the service today. The pair were part of the Portugal side which won the Nations League final last month.
Ronaldo, who scored in the 61st minute of the clash against Spain, penned a heartfelt tribute to Jota and his brother Andre in a post on social media on Thursday.
Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson arrive at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Virgil Van Dijk, who held a flower arrangement in the shape of Diogo’s shirt with the number 20 and Andy Robertson, who carried a red shirt bearing Andre’s number 30
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez (left), manager Arne Slot (centre) and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (right) arrive for the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez (left) and Federico Chiesa (right) arrive for the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Curtis Jones (left) Jordan Henderson (third from left), James Milner (third from right) and Ryan Gravenberch (right) arrive at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Jota’s Liverpool teammates arrive for his and his brother’s funeral in Gondomar
The congregation starts at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva being held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in the town of Gondomar near Porto
Pallbearers carry the caskets of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva during their funeral on Saturday. Portugal teammate Ruben Neves can be seen as one of the pallbearers for Diogo’s coffin
Pallbearers carry the coffins of Portuguese footballers and brother Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Mourners gather outside the Chapel of the Resurrection, on the day of Jota and his brother Andre’s funeral ceremony
People attend the funeral of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, in Gondomar
The grieving wife of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has arrived in his Portuguese hometown ahead of his funeral later today
The mother-of-three was seen hugging well wishers as she exited her car near the Chapel of the Resurrection
‘It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married,’ Ronaldo wrote.
‘To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them.
‘Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.’
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was not able to attend the funeral because he is currently on international duty with Brazil.
Explaining his absence, he wrote on Instagram: ‘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!’
Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves arrives at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in the town of Gondomar
Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo cuts a solemn figure as he arrives for the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias arrives at the funeral of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota in the town of Gondomar near Porto
Dias wore all black as he carried a bouquet of flowers inside the church ahead of the ceremony
Former Liverpool player Fabinho arrives at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva being held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in the town of Gondomar
Thiago Alcantara, former football player, and his Wife Julia Vigas arrive at a funeral held for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Manchester City Bernardo Silva arrives for the funeral of his Portugal teammate Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva who both died on Thursday
Yesterday, well wishers laid flowers at the wake for the brothers, which traditionally happens before the funeral in Portugal.
Several past and present players of the Premier League, who are attending the funeral today, were given a round of applause by local mourners as they passed through the streets to visit the chapel last night.
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, during a wake on Friday.
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 the wake and held a vigil at the coffins of the former Wolves striker and his brother.
Rute, who married the 28-year-old footballer on June 22, walked into the chapel in Gondomar after returning with her husband’s body from Spain on Thursday.
The city overlooking Porto is where the couple, who share three children, met and started dating as teenagers.
Manchester United and Portugal player Bruno Fernandes arrives at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar
Portugal’s national football team coach Roberto Martinez (left) arrives for the funerals of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar
Diogo Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes arrives for the funeral of the Liverpool footballer at the Chapel of the Resurrection, in Gondomar
Former Portugal national team coach Fernando Santos (left) arrives at the Chapel of the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar on the day of the funeral ceremony of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Santos, who managed the Portuguese football team between 2014 and 2022, arrives at the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar on Saturday
Diogo Jota and Andre Silva’s grandfather arrives for the funeral of late Portugal’s players on Saturday
Chelsea and Portugal player Joao Felix arrives at the funeral of his national side teammate Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Portuguese player Nelson Semedo, who also played alongside Jota during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, arrives for the funeral of the late footballer and his brother
FC Porto’s Fabio Cardoso arrives for the funeral of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, in Gondomar
Portuguese Minister of Sports Margarida Balseiro Lopes (centre) arrives for the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, in Gondomar
Media gather at the funeral of Diogo Jota being held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar on Saturday
In Instagram posts after her wedding she wrote ‘yes to forever’ and ‘my dream come true’ beneath photos of their special day. Just five days after that post, her husband was tragically killed.
Diogo and Andre’s mother Isabel, father Joaquim and their grandfather were also 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.
Father-of-three Jota was killed in the early hours of Thursday morning along with his footballer brother Andre Silva, 25.
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. No other vehicles were involved, police have said.
The brothers were on a road trip 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.
In a heartwarming gesture, the Premier League club will reportedly pay the remainder of Jota’s contract to his family, as reported by Record. The Portugal international had two years remaining on his contract at Liverpool, which he signed in 2022.
