The streets of Gondomar, Portugal, were quiet on Friday morning, but not in peace. They were filled with sorrow.
The town, just outside Porto, was preparing to receive two of its own, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, who both lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Spain.
Their journey home began in the early hours, in a solemn convoy of hearses leaving the morgue in Puebla de Sanabria, near the site of the crash, The Irish Times reports.
Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion… pic.twitter.com/KG4coUHY1P
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 3, 2025
Spanish authorities believe a tyre burst caused the Lamborghini to veer off the road before catching fire. Now, the shockwaves of that tragedy are being felt not just in Portugal but across the world.
Residents lined the streets in silence, holding candles, red scarves, and flowers. Many wore old jerseys from Jota’s youth football days.
The wake was scheduled for 4 p.m. at a chapel in Gondomar, with a funeral planned for Saturday morning.
A Journey that should never have happened
Jota was not even supposed to be on the road.
According to his physiotherapist, Miguel Goncalves, the 28-year-old Liverpool forward had undergone lung surgery just weeks earlier to treat a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) caused by a fractured rib, Sky Sports reports.
Doctors advised he avoid flying for six weeks. And so, he made the decision to travel to England by car and ferry.
Diogo Jota was killed along with his brother just 10 days after the Portugal forward got married. He had three children. Fans applauded as the bodies arrived in Porto. https://t.co/PoQssxvkXP pic.twitter.com/3AmD8UjwRd
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 4, 2025
Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, was seen leaving the Spanish morgue in tears, holding onto close family and friends, including Jota’s long-time agent Jorge Mendes, as they made their way back to Gondomar for the final rites.
Tributes pour in for Diogo Jota
While Portugal grieves, so does the global football family. Outside Liverpool’s Anfield stadium, children, adults, and fans left heartfelt notes, flowers, and jerseys.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson pays his respects to Diogo Jota at Anfield. pic.twitter.com/HX2gcPmo4r
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 4, 2025
Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich observed moments of silence during training sessions.
Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, also paid a visit to the family, calling Jota “a source of pride for Portugal.”
At just 28, Jota had already left a mark far deeper than goals or assists.
He was described by many as humble, respectful, and deeply family-oriented.
A touching tribute to Diogo Jota from Mohamed Salah ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Z415RquJm8
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 4, 2025
In losing him and his brother, the world mourns not just footballers, but two sons, two brothers, two futures.
