Portugal will bid a final farewell this Saturday to national football icon Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, whose tragic deaths in a car crash have sent shockwaves across the footballing world.
The funeral ceremony will be held in Gondomar, a town near Porto where Jota’s career first took flight before he rose to international prominence with Liverpool and the Portuguese national team.
The two brothers were killed shortly after midnight in northwestern Spain when the Lamborghini they were traveling in veered off the road and burst into flames, according to Spanish police. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fatal crash.
On Thursday evening, a hearse carrying the remains of Jota left a Spanish funeral parlour and began its solemn journey back to Portugal.
A Nation and Club in Mourning
Jota’s sudden death has prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, fellow players, and football associations across both men’s and women’s teams worldwide. Outside Liverpool’s iconic Anfield Stadium, supporters laid flowers, scarves, and messages of condolence as they grappled with the shocking loss.
Liverpool Football Club issued a statement saying it was “devastated by the tragic passing” of the 28-year-old forward, who joined the Reds from Wolves in 2020. Over four seasons, Jota made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals, helping the club secure three major trophies.
His final goal a winner in the Merseyside derby against Everton in April pushed Liverpool closer to what would be a historic league title.
Jota was expected to join Portugal’s Nations League squad this summer and, under normal circumstances, would have returned to Liverpool training later than his club teammates, who are due back on Monday.
A Football Family Shattered
While Diogo Jota soared on the international stage, his younger brother André Silva also pursued a career in football, playing for Penafiel in Portugal’s lower divisions. Though less known globally, Silva was a passionate figure in the local football community and often seen supporting his brother’s rise to stardom.
The double tragedy has left Portugal reeling, and Saturday’s funeral is expected to draw large crowds, including officials, teammates, and fans wishing to pay their final respects.
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