Football celebrities say goodbye to Diogo Jota and his sibling Andre as they part ways - Athletes bid farewell to Diogo Jota and his sibling André as they part ways
On Saturday, July 5, 2025, the Portuguese town of Gondomar was sombre as it bid farewell to Diogo Jota and his brother André da Silva, following their tragic deaths in a car crash in Spain just two days prior. The funeral ceremony took place at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar (also known as Capela da Ressurreicao) and was attended by a multitude of family, friends, and football stars from Liverpool and the Portugal national team.
The previous evening, Jota had played for Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup and was visibly moved during a minute of silence for his late friend. Liverpool players and staff, including Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and coach Arne Slot, were present at the funeral, carrying floral tributes marked with Jota’s squad number 20 and André’s 30.
The ceremony began at 10 a.m., with a deeply emotional atmosphere. Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he had married just 11 days prior, was seen supported by mourners. The funeral bells rang as the coffins were carried into the church amid heartfelt scenes. A book of remembrance was opened at Anfield, and tributes poured in worldwide, reflecting the widespread grief at the loss of the two brothers.
Ruben Neves, a national teammate of Jota, flew in directly from the Club World Cup in the USA for the funeral. Van Dijk, carrying a floral tribute with Jota’s jersey number 20, was also present. Many more people waited in silent mourning and grief outside the church during the funeral.
The cause of the car accident was likely a blown tire, with the vehicle veering off the road, breaking through a guardrail, and catching fire. Diogo Jota had three children with his wife Rute Cardoso, whom he had been with since their school days.
This was a significant moment of mourning in the football community following the sudden loss of the talented forward and his brother. The Liverpool football club postponed its preseason training out of respect for the grieving family and friends. The funeral marked the end of a brief, yet impactful, chapter in the lives of two promising footballers who left an indelible impression on the sport and those who knew them.
The Commission, in light of this tragic event, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers in the sports sector, particularly football players, from the risks related to their high-intensity careers and the psychological stress they often face. In the world of sports-analysis, experts are discussing the potential long-term effects of such a loss on Liverpool's performance during the remainder of the preseason and beyond.
