Football World Mourns: Jota Brothers Laid to Rest

Somber Ceremony Draws Stars After Tragic Car Accident

The footballing community gathered to say farewell to **Diogo Jota**, the Liverpool star, and his brother **Andre Silva**, following their deaths in a car crash in Spain. The service drew high-profile figures from across the globe.

Stars Attend Emotional Funeral

Scores of football stars and notable personalities came together for a moving service held in Gondomar, near Porto. Mourners shed tears as they bid farewell to the brothers in the same church where **Jota** had celebrated his wedding just 13 days prior.

**Jota**, aged 28 and a father of three, passed away alongside **Silva**, 25, after their Lamborghini veered off the A-52 road in northwestern Spain. The vehicle caught fire on Thursday after a suspected tire blowout, according to reports.

Wife’s Heartbreaking Goodbye

**Rute Cardoso**, **Jota’s** wife, and the brothers’ family were joined by football legends. **Cardoso** was visibly distraught, weeping as she walked behind her husband’s coffin into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church.

Liverpool captain **Virgil van Dijk** and left-back **Andy Robertson** were present, bringing wreaths shaped like football shirts bearing **Jota’s** number 20. They were followed by manager **Arne Slot** and players including **Conor Bradley**, **Ryan Gravenberch**, **Cody Gakpo**, **Curtis Jones**, **Darwin Nunez**, and **Joe Gomez**. Former players **Jordan Henderson** and **James Milner** also attended the service.

Premier League stars such as **Bruno Fernandes** of Manchester United, **Ruben Dias** and **Bernardo Silva** of Manchester City, **Joao Felix** and **Renato Veiga** of Chelsea, **Nelson Semedo** from Wolves, and ex-Liverpool players **Fabinho** and **Thiago Alcantara** were among those who paid their respects.

**Ruben Neves**, a close friend of **Jota** with whom he played for both Wolves and Portugal, served as a pallbearer. Having flown in from Florida after a Club World Cup match, **Neves**, along with his Portuguese teammate **Joao Cancelo**, was seen weeping during a moment of silence at Friday’s game.

Following the service, “Ave Maria” was played as mourners exited the church, embracing in tears. **Ms. Cardoso** assisted in carrying **Jota’s** coffin, leaning her head on it as the procession departed.

Also in attendance were Porto president **Andre Villas-Boas**, Portugal manager **Roberto Martinez**, and former Portugal manager **Fernando Santos**.

Mourning Extends Beyond Portugal

**Martinez** spoke to Sky Sports News, saying, “They are [have been] really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we have shown we are a very large, but close family.”

**Martinez** added, “We are Portugal, and it was essential for us that [with] **Andre Silva** and **Diogo Jota**, we are together and we will always be together, and their spirit will be with us forever.”

He concluded by saying, “Thank you very much for your messages, for your support and everything that we have received all over the world. It means a lot, and today we are all one football family.”

**Silva** told TVI, “I can’t even imagine the pain of the family, of **Rute**, of the children, of the parents.”

**Silva** also stated, “**Jota** will remain in our hearts forever. He will always be present at all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, national team gatherings, PlayStation or card games.”

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, approximately 1.35 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. ASIRT.org

“It is a very tough episode for all of us, because we spent a lot of time together. The memories I have with him are fantastic. These happy memories will remain; he will be present in every victory,” **Silva** said.

Civil Guard sources in Spain reported that the crash happened after a tire blowout occurred during an overtaking maneuver. The Lamborghini left the roadway and ignited.

**Jota** was on his way back to the UK for pre-season training with Liverpool following a minor operation in Portugal. It was suggested he take a ferry, rather than fly, due to his recent surgery.