Family members and former teammates came together in Gondomar, Portugal, on Saturday to attend the funeral of Liverpool’s Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva.
Jota, 28, and André, 25, both professional footballers, sadly died in a car crash in Spain early Thursday morning, leaving the football world in shock and mourning.
Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, who he married just two weeks earlier and with whom he shared three young children, was seen comforting other mourners as she arrived at the church. The service lasted around an hour.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and teammate Andy Robertson were among those paying tribute, carrying red flower arrangements shaped like the brothers’ football shirts. Other Liverpool players, including Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Núñez and Ibrahima Konaté, also attended, along with manager Arne Slot and club CEO Michael Edwards.
Later, the church bells rang out as a long procession of mourners walked into the church behind the brothers’ coffins. Portugal star Rúben Neves, who played alongside Jota for both Portugal and Wolves, helped carry the coffins. One mourner held a black-and-white photo of André Silva with the words “Forever One Of Us” written in Portuguese.
More well-known faces from Portuguese football were present, such as national coach Roberto Martínez, Manchester City’s Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Chelsea’s João Félix.
“This was a day where we showed we’re a big but close family,” Martínez told reporters. “We are Portugal, we are united, and always will be.”
The Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, gave a heartfelt speech to the brothers’ parents, Jota’s wife, and their children, saying that “love and unity are stronger than death.”
The funeral followed a wake held the day before at a local church in their hometown. On Friday, members of the public were invited to pay their respects.
Tributes were made across the world. Moments of silence were held at Club World Cup matches. Players like Rúben Neves, João Cancelo, and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, all former teammates, were visibly emotional.
British band Oasis also paid tribute to Jota, dedicating their song “Live Forever” to him during a concert in Cardiff.
At Wimbledon, Portuguese tennis players Francisco Cabral and Nuno Borges were allowed to break the strict all-white dress rule in order to honour Jota during their matches.
