Diogo Jota’s heartbroken wife, Rute Cardoso, helped carry his coffin. Credit: John Powell / Getty
As previously reported, the Liverpool FC star died alongside his younger brother, André Silva – who was also a professional footballer, on Thursday (July 3) at around 12:35AM.
The brothers were involved in a devastating car crash on the A-52 highway near Zamora, Spain. Their Lamborghini veered off the road, rolled, and burst into flames, igniting the surrounding vegetation.
They were traveling to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK when the crash occurred. Jota, who had recently undergone lung surgery, had been advised not to fly.
The horrific incident has left the football world and their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, in shock.
Just two weeks after marrying Jota, the 28-year-old’s wife helped carry his coffin into the church for his funeral, supported by family members in harrowing scenes.
The couple, childhood sweethearts who met as teenagers in the city of Porto, shared three young children and had celebrated their wedding days before the tragedy.
Heartbreaking scenes unfolded as Jota’s parents, Joaquim and Isabel, comforted each other through tears while walking into Gondomar church for the funeral service, which was led by the Bishop of Porto and began at 10AM local time.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets holding roses and national team scarves, while a livestream of the service played outside for those unable to enter the packed church.
Ruben Neves, Jota’s Portugal teammate, served as a pallbearer, while Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who was on international duty with Brazil, shared his sorrow from afar 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!” he added.
Several Liverpool teammates, including Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, Caoimhin Kelleher, and manager Arne Slot, traveled to Gondomar to pay their respects.
Former Liverpool teammates James Milner and Jordan Henderson, who captained Jota when he joined Liverpool in 2020, also attended, with Henderson seen wiping away tears while laying flowers and a scarf outside Anfield before flying to Portugal.
Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes described the loss as “very difficult,” telling reporters: “We lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, professional. I still can’t believe it, it’s very difficult,” per The Mirror.
Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and President Marcelo de Sousa were among those paying respects, while Gondomar Town Hall declared July 4 an official day of mourning, calling Jota “an extraordinary talent and a true ambassador for Gondomar,” The Telegraph reported.
Local priest Jose Manuel Macedo reflected the community’s grief, stating: “We’re available to celebrate [their life] with everyone and to share the pain and the Christian hope.”
Liverpool Football Club said they were “devastated” by the tragedy, with supporters flooding Anfield with flowers and scarves in Jota’s memory.
Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves, helped the club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup, scoring six goals in 26 appearances during the 2024/25 season and helping Portugal secure the Nations League title just weeks before his death.
Our thoughts continue to be with Jota and Silva’s loved ones at this time.
