In This Article

  • Massive Crowds Pay Tribute to Diogo Jota and Brother in Gondomar
  • Tributes from the Football World
  • A Legacy Remembered

Key Takeaways

  • Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car accident in Spain while traveling through Zamora, shocking the football community.
  • Thousands of mourners, including Portuguese political leaders and football stars, gathered in Gondomar for a public wake and funeral honoring the brothers.
  • The brothers' legacy is celebrated through tributes at Liverpool, Wolves, and Wimbledon, with fans displaying Portugal flags, flowers, and memorabilia.
  • Jota's local club, Gondomar SC, renamed its academy in his honor, reflecting his impact on the community and football.
  • Liverpool and Portugal teammates, including Mohamed Salah and João Moutinho, expressed deep grief and personal loss over the tragedy.

Massive Crowds Pay Tribute to Diogo Jota and Brother in Gondomar

Emotional scenes unfolded in Gondomar, Portugal, as thousands gathered to mourn the tragic loss of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. The pair, both professional footballers, died in a car accident on Thursday while traveling through the Spanish province of Zamora.

The public wake, held in their hometown on the outskirts of Porto, drew fans, football stars, and prominent political figures. Among those in attendance were Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, and national team players such as João Moutinho and Diogo Dalot. Jota’s agent, Jorge Mendes, was also present to pay his respects.

Family members held a private vigil at a local chapel before opening it to the public. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in São Cosme.

Tributes from the Football World

Jota, 28, was a beloved figure in the football community, having won the Nations League with Portugal and the Premier League with Liverpool earlier this year. His brother André, who played in Portugal’s second division, was also mourned deeply. Fans queued with Portugal flags, flowers, and memorabilia, visibly emotional as they paid tribute to the brothers.

Liverpool fans also gathered outside Anfield Stadium, where former captain Jordan Henderson laid a wreath with a heartfelt message: "Rest in peace my friend, along with your brother André. We will all miss you." The club canceled pre-season fitness tests and announced a phased return to training on Monday.

Tributes extended beyond Liverpool, with fans leaving flowers and scarves outside Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, where Jota played before joining the Reds. Even at Wimbledon, Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon in honor of his countrymen.

A Legacy Remembered

Jota’s local club, Gondomar SC, named its academy after him in 2022, a testament to his impact on the community. The academy’s sign features a quote from Jota: "It's not about where we come from but where we're going to." Outside the club, shirts, scarves, and candles formed a touching memorial.

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah expressed his grief on social media, stating, "I am truly lost for words. Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break."

The football world continues to mourn the loss of Diogo Jota and André Silva, whose legacies will be remembered by fans and players alike.