Diogo Jota Death: Tributes Pour in as Liverpool Star and Brother André Silva Honored
Enet
Crowds filled the streets of Gondomar to mourn Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, both killed in a car crash on Thursday. The small town near Porto saw many gather to honor the Liverpool forward and his family.
Portugal’s president, football stars from Liverpool and the national team, and many fans attended the funeral. They all gathered in the town where Jota and André grew up. Before the public wake, their family held a private vigil at a local chapel. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
André Silva, who played in Portugal’s second division, and Jota lost their lives when the Lamborghini they were traveling in crashed in Zamora, Spain. Fans clutched Portugal flags, flowers, and memorabilia as they waited in line to pay respects, many crying as they remembered the players.
Among those present were President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and stars like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Moutinho, Diogo Dalot, and Ricardo Horta. Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes was also there. Later, Liverpool players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, showed up in the town. Several of Jota’s former teammates joined the crowd.
As a boy, Jota played for Gondomar SC, the local club. In 2022, the club named its academy after him. On the sign outside, a quote from Jota reads, "It's not about where we come from but where we're going to." Outside the club, shirts and scarves surrounded a ring of candles, bound in memory.
Jota, 28, and father of three, had just married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso less than two weeks before the accident. He was heading back to Liverpool for pre-season training. Since he had minor surgery, he traveled by car and ferry instead of flying.
Liverpool expressed deep sadness, calling his death a "tragedy that transcends" the club. Fans gathered outside Anfield Stadium, too. Former captain Jordan Henderson placed a wreath with a note: “Rest in peace, my friend, along with your brother André. We will all miss you."
During Oasis’s reunion concert on Friday, Jota’s image appeared on screen, drawing applause at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah said he felt scared to return after hearing the news. "I am lost for words. I didn’t think anything could scare me about coming back after the break," he wrote on social media.
Fans from Everton, Liverpool’s rival, visited and left flowers outside Anfield. Among them were Portugal-born forwards Beto and Youssef Chermiti. Peter Millea, a former Liverpool councillor, shared his memories. He said Jota was instant favorites on the team. His friendly manner and key goals made him easy to like.
Millea added that fans at Anfield sometimes sang Jota’s name spontaneously. "You'll hear it at Wembley, Preston, and around the stadium during games. His memory will stay alive forever," he said.
Outside Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, where Jota played before joining Liverpool, fans also left flowers, scarves, and shirts. At Wimbledon, Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon in his honor. A minute of silence was held during a Women’s Euro 2025 game between Denmark and Sweden.
Liverpool has cancelled pre-season fitness tests that were due to take place today for some players as a result of yesterday's news. A phased return of training will now begin on Monday.
The funeral service will be held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme in Gondomar at 10:00 on Saturday.
