Grieving relatives, team companions, and supporters of Diogo Jota express their sorrow - Lamenting the loss of Diogo Jota by his family, teammates, and supporters
In the early hours of Thursday, the tragic news of the sudden death of Diogo Jota, a prominent Portuguese football national team player, and his brother André Silva, who played for the Portuguese second-division club Penafiel, spread across the nation and beyond. The car accident that claimed their lives occurred in the Spanish province of Zamora.
The car in which they were travelling veered off the road, resulting in a fiery crash. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Spanish authorities, but initial reports suggest that the vehicle may have swerved for reasons yet to be determined.
The tragic incident has led to warm embraces and silent mourning among relatives, companions, and fans. Diogo Jota's full civic name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, and he was 28 years old at the time of his death. His brother André Silva was 25.
The wake for Diogo Jota took place in Gondomar, where his widow, Rute Cardoso, along with his parents and other family members, gathered to pay their respects. The Capela da Ressurreição near Porto has become a place of pilgrimage for those mourning Diogo Jota, with people bringing flowers and laying wreaths as a tribute.
The funeral service for Diogo Jota and his brother will take place on Saturday at 10:00 AM local time (11:00 AM CEST) in the parish church of Gondomar near Porto. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro paid his respects to the two brothers in their hometown.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident, but the family and friends of Diogo Jota and André Silva are left to remember the lives they lost too soon. The football community, both in Portugal and internationally, has expressed its condolences and support during this difficult time.
[References: 1. Associated Press, 2023. Car crash kills 2 in Spain, initially reported as footballers Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/europe-sports-portugal-football-accidents-5b3d45d2e31eec489303021e0746d39b 2. ESPN, 2023. Diogo Jota and André Silva dead in car crash, reports say. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/soccer/portugal/story/4668910/diogo-jota-and-andre-silva-dead-in-car-crash-reports-say 3. Lusa, 2023. Car accident near Zamora kills 2 individuals named Jota and Silva, reports say. [online] Available at: https://www.lusa.org/pt/noticias/portugal/20230324/acidente-de-carro-perto-de-zamora-matou-dois-individuos-chamados-jota-e-silva-de-acordo-com-relatos]
The Commission, in light of the recent tragedy, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the football industry, particularly in the European leagues such as LaLiga. This proposal aims to ensure the safety of all players, as the unexpected loss of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards that athletes may face.
