Funeral preparations begin for Diogo Jota as tributes to Liverpool star continue
Flowers could be seen being carried into a chapel in Porto ahead of the 28-year-old's funeral – which parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, Jose Manuel Macedo, said would begin at 10am on Saturday.
A wake for the brothers is set to take place on Friday afternoon at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro was one of a number of people to arrive at the chapel for the wake on Friday.
Liverpool Football Club postponed the return of players for pre-season following Jota's death, as a number of players past and present paid tribute.
The club's manager Arne Slot said the 'sense of shock is absolute', adding: 'He was a loved one to all of us.'
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson returned to Anfield with flowers and a club scarf on Friday as he paid his own tribute to Jota.
A sea of floral tributes had been left outside the ground, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects.
Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support.
Jota and Silva were both found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday.
Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at.
Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle.
No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident.
The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message.
The online book can be found at https://www.liverpoolfc.com/club/diogo-jota-supporter-condolences
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Portugal release touching Diogo Jota tribute video after the Liverpool star's death at 28
Portugal released a moving tribute video after Diogo Jota 's death, which included highlights of his career and moments off the pitch with the national team. Jota, 28, and his brother Andre, 26 - also a footballer, who played for Portuguese second division side Penafiel - both died on Thursday following a tragic car crash in Spain. His Lamborghini Huracan had a tyre blow out while he attempted to overtake another vehicle on the A-52 at Cernadilla near Zamora - just ten miles over the border from Portugal. The football world have joined together in paying their respects to the Liverpool star, whose funeral was held in his hometown Gomorah in Portugal on Saturday morning. The national team shared a video across their social media accounts, captioned: 'You will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota.' It culminated with a clip of Jota lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy, which he won with Portugal against Spain last month. Serás para sempre recordado. Descansa em paz, Diogo Jota. 🤍 You will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota. 🤍 — Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2025 After making his senior debut for Portugal in 2019, Jota made 49 appearances for his country, scoring 14 goals. The details of Jota's crash have been thoroughly documented in its aftermath. Jota's car is said to have rolled and burst into flames, with emergency services unable to save him and his brother. No other vehicles were involved, police said. The siblings were heading to Santander to catch a ferry to Britain after Diogo was advised not to fly following lung surgery, it was reported in his home country. Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash and two fatalities at around 12.35am on Thursday. Diogo and Andre's deaths were then confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation at around 8am. Jota's death sent shockwaves through the footballing world and fans have gathered in their hundreds to lay and offer their condolences. Tributes from all over have poured in since Jota's tragic accident, with the sport's biggest names - such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - leading the testimonials. The tragedy came just days after Jota married his new wife Rute Cardoso - who he shares three young children with - on June 22. On Friday, hundreds of mourners lined the streets of Gondomar to pay their final respects to Jota at the city's chapel. Fans snaked around the Portuguese principality as the tearful crowd queued to honour the Premier League hero before his funeral. 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. 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 a wake and held a vigil at the coffins of the former Wolves striker and his brother Andre. The town overlooking Porto is where the couple met and started dating as teenagers. They married two weeks ago and have three young children. Diogo and Andre's mother Isabel, father Joaquim and their grandfather were 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. Portugal's Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also attended the wake along with Jota's agent Jorge Mendes. The President of Portugal, Marcelo de Sousa, came later. The wake got underway on Friday afternoon ahead of funeral mass in the neighbouring church - the Igrega Matriz de Gondomar - at 10am on Saturday. Many big names attended Jota's funeral, including some of his Portugal team-mates and the Liverpool squad. Ex-Liverpool club captain Jordan Henderson and James Milner had joined their former team-mates. Members of Liverpool's hierarchy were in attendance, including FSG's chief executive of football Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, sporting director. Family and friends were seen in tears as they carried their coffins into the church. Distraught loved ones, including Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, were seen walking through the the brothers' hometown of Gondomar in tears while other distraught mourners were being held up as they walked. Only family and friends are allowed inside the church, however a livestream with audio of the service, lead by the Bishop of Porto, will be played outside to thousands of mourners who are expected to line the streets to pay their respects. Ruben Neves, who played alongside Jota with Wolves and Portugal, and Joao Cancelo both made transatlantic trips in order to attend the ceremony. Liverpool manager Arne Slot, centre, was solemn as he attended the funeral service The coffins of Jota and Andre Silva were brought into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Members of the brothers' family carry their coffins into the church ahead of the service On Friday night, Neves and Cancelo had played at the Club World Cup in the United States for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Diogo Jota's wife and family joined by Liverpool players at funeral
Diogo Jota's wife and family have been joined by Liverpool players for the funeral of the footballer and his brother in Portugal, following their death in a car crash in Spain. The father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning. The coffins of Jota and Silva were carried into Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Saturday morning, followed by mourners. A church bell tolled and crowds applauded as the brothers' coffins were carried into the church, followed by mourners, some with their arms around each other. Others seen arriving at the church included Reds manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil Van Dijk and team-mates including Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez. Also at the funeral for the Portuguese international were his national team-mates Bruno Fernandes, of Manchester United; Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva, of Manchester City; Joao Felix and Renato Veiga, of Chelsea; Nelson Semedo, from Wolves; Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves, as well as former Liverpool player Fabinho, Porto FC president Andre Villas-Boas and Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez. Neves served as one of the pallbearers for Jota after flying in from Florida where he played for Al Hilal in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Friday night. Some of the players carried wreaths shaped like football shirts as they arrived at the church. Martinez told AP: 'These are really, really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we showed we are a large, close family. 'Their spirit will be with us forever.' After the funeral service, the coffins were carried to the cemetery next to the church. Family and friends gathered for the brothers' wake on Friday, with a queue forming outside the Portuguese chapel. The brothers' parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in Gondomar, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota's agent also there. People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool FC shirt and making a heart sign with his hands. Liverpool FC postponed the return of their players for pre-season following Jota's death and players past and present paid tribute to him and his brother on social media. A sea of floral tributes had been left outside Anfield, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. Jota and Silva were found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Diogo Jota's wife and family joined by Liverpool players at funeral
The father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning. The coffins of Jota and Silva were carried into Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Saturday morning, followed by mourners. A church bell tolled and crowds applauded as the brothers' coffins were carried into the church, followed by mourners, some with their arms around each other. Others seen arriving at the church included Reds manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil Van Dijk and team-mates including Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez. Also at the funeral for the Portuguese international were his national team-mates Bruno Fernandes, of Manchester United; Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva, of Manchester City; Joao Felix and Renato Veiga, of Chelsea; Nelson Semedo, from Wolves; Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves, as well as former Liverpool player Fabinho, Porto FC president Andre Villas-Boas and Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez. Neves served as one of the pallbearers for Jota after flying in from Florida where he played for Al Hilal in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Friday night. Some of the players carried wreaths shaped like football shirts as they arrived at the church. Martinez told AP: 'These are really, really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we showed we are a large, close family. 'Their spirit will be with us forever.' After the funeral service, the coffins were carried to the cemetery next to the church. Family and friends gathered for the brothers' wake on Friday, with a queue forming outside the Portuguese chapel. The brothers' parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in Gondomar, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota's agent also there. People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool FC shirt and making a heart sign with his hands. Liverpool FC postponed the return of their players for pre-season following Jota's death and players past and present paid tribute to him and his brother on social media. A sea of floral tributes had been left outside Anfield, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. Jota and Silva were found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident.
