Siblings in Focus: Emotional Sermon Delivery by Diogo Jota and His Brother
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the football world was left in shock on July 3, 2025, as Diogo Jota, the beloved Liverpool FC forward, and his brother, Andre Silva, lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Spain. The accident occurred on the A-52 road in Zamora, when the Lamborghini they were travelling in suffered a tyre blowout, causing the vehicle to leave the road, crash, and catch fire.
The news of Jota's death, just eleven days after his wedding, sent ripples of sorrow through the football community. The funeral service for the 28-year-old star and his brother took place in a small church in Gondomar, near Porto, Portugal. Only a few mourners from the inner circle, including Jota's parents and wife, were present at the service, while many more people waited outside in silent prayer and grief.
Bishop Manuel Linda, who addressed the gathering, expressed his sympathy for the suffering of Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children, aged four, two, and seven months. He prayed for the children and offered words of comfort to the family during the service. The funeral procession included large black-and-white photos of the deceased at the front.
Among those who attended the funeral were teammates Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Arne Slot, and Ruben Neves. Van Dijk carried a floral tribute with Jota's jersey number 20, a poignant symbol of the player's legacy at Liverpool FC. Neves, who played for Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup the night before, wept during a minute's silence for his late friend. He had flown in from the USA to pay his respects to Jota and his family.
Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, walked behind her husband's coffin during the funeral procession. The couple had been together since their school days, and their bond was a source of inspiration to many. The heads of the Portuguese state, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, paid their respects to the brothers at the traditional wake the day before.
The football world has reacted with an outpouring of tributes and condolences for Jota and his family. His teammates, fans, and the wider football community mourn the loss of a talented player and a kind-hearted soul. Liverpool FC has requested privacy for the family during this difficult time, expressing their full support and condolences.
[1] Liverpool FC statement on Diogo Jota's passing: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/2025/07/diogo-jota-passing [2] Tributes pour in for Diogo Jota: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/07/04/tributes-pour-in-for-diogo-jota-after-liverpool-star-dies-in-car-crash [3] Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso: A love story: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/2025/07/diogo-jota-and-rute-cardoso-a-love-story
- Despite the mourning atmosphere, football continued to unite people as fans and fellow players alike gathered at local pubs, sharing stories and memories of Diogo Jota, enjoying food and drinks in his honor.
- During halftime of a Champions League match between Porto and Al-Hilal, a minute of silence was observed by players and spectators alike, honoring the memory of Diogo Jota and serving as a reminder of the impact one life can have, both on and off the football field.
