Tragic Loss: Diogo Jota and Brother Laid to Rest Amid Emotional Farewell
Diogo Jota's Funeral: A Heartfelt Goodbye
On Saturday, July 5, the football community mourned as Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, alongside his brother Andre Silva, was laid to rest in their hometown. Their untimely deaths in a car accident left fans and teammates in shock. Many national team players, including Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Danilo Pereira, and Joao Felix, attended the funeral, although national captain Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent, sparking controversy. Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aviero, defended him, stating that he wished to protect the family's privacy, recalling a painful experience during their father's funeral in 2005.
Katia expressed her disappointment over the media's focus on Ronaldo's absence rather than honoring the grieving family. She criticized the lack of respect shown by the media, emphasizing the emotional toll of such invasions during a time of loss. Diogo Jota, aged 28, and Andre Silva, 25, tragically lost their lives when their vehicle crashed and caught fire in northwestern Spain, just a week after Jota's wedding.
Football Community Comes Together
Hours before the accident, Jota had shared a video from his wedding on June 22 to Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. The funeral took place in Gondomar, near Porto, and was officiated by the bishop of Porto. Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk honored Jota with a floral wreath shaped like a Liverpool shirt featuring his number 20.
On the evening prior, Van Dijk, along with other players including Darwin Nunez and Liverpool coach Arne Slot, visited Jota's family and attended a wake for the brothers. Among the attendees were Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Jota's agent Jorge Mendes, and Porto club president Andre Villas-Boas, reflecting Jota's deep ties to the football community.
Tributes Pour In
Pedro Proenca, chief of the football federation, remarked on the profound loss, stating, "Football is truly in mourning. Diogo was an icon of the talent Portuguese football represents." Family and close friends were the first to pay their respects at the wake, with emotional scenes as mourners arrived with flowers. The tragic news has resonated widely, prompting Liverpool to open a book of condolences and lower flags to half-mast, as fans laid flowers, balloons, and scarves outside Anfield with messages like "Rest in peace Diogo Jota."
At the Diogo Jota football academy, a memorial was created with flowers and heartfelt messages from fans. A childhood friend remembered Jota as a friendly and courteous person who always had a smile. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expressed his heartbreak over the loss, while current coach Slot emphasized the importance of unity within the club during this difficult time.
Global Recognition of Jota's Legacy
Jota was honored with a minute of silence at the Club World Cup in the United States during a match between Brazil's Fluminense and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal. Similar tributes were observed at women's Euro 25 matches. Reports indicate that Jota was driving to Santander to catch a ferry to England for Liverpool's training, following medical advice to avoid flying after a recent lung operation. Teammate Mohamed Salah expressed his fear about returning to the club after such a tragic event, leading to the postponement of some players' pre-season training.