Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva will be honoured at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, according to a local parish priest, after the Liverpool striker's tragic death
02:04, 04 Jul 2025Updated 02:05, 04 Jul 2025
The wake is planned in Portugal this weekend
The wake is planned in Portugal this weekend(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota will be remembered at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, as confirmed by a local parish priest.
The 28 year old father of three sadly died in a car crash in Spain, along with his brother Andre Silva. The horrific accident happened when their Lamborghini swerved off the road and caught fire, reportedly due to a tyre blowout.
The incident occurred on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Jose Manuel Macedo, the parish priest at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told PA news agency that the wake for the brothers is set for 8am at the Capela da Ressurreicao, with their funeral following on Saturday at 10am at the Igreja Matriz.
Diogo leaves behind his wife and three children
Diogo leaves behind his wife and three children
Tributes from the football world and beyond poured in for the Portuguese striker on Thursday. Liverpool's manager Arne Slot expressed the club's deep shock, saying, "Diogo was not just our player,".
"He was a loved one to all of us. I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be."
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Slot emphasised that Jota "never sought popularity" but achieved it nonetheless, being a friend to all and possessing the ability to uplift others "just by being with them". He fondly recalled their last conversation, in which he wished Jota well for his upcoming wedding.
"In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this," Slot expressed, deeply saddened.
Slot remembered being captivated by the Liverpool fans' anthem for Jota when he first joined the club, recognising "straight away" the player's "special qualities". He said: "When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For now, we grieve for a remarkable individual. He will always be in our hearts."
Diogo leaves behind his wife and three children
Tributes have been pouring in for the Liverpool star(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The Portuguese Football Federation expressed its devastation over the news, stating: "Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football."
Police are investigating whether a tyre blowout during an overtaking manoeuvre caused the Lamborghini to veer off the road, while authorities in Zamora are also considering "a possible speeding incident" as part of their investigation.
The solitary crash left a trail of debris and charred car parts scattered along the roadside. Following the devastating news, Liverpool fans began to pay their respects at Anfield from Thursday morning, leaving flowers and touching messages such as "Thanks for everything, Diogo".
Jota played a pivotal role in Liverpool's Premier League victory in the 2024/25 season, netting six goals in 26 appearances. Since his transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, Jota had hoisted three major trophies with the Reds.
Portugal national team captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, extended his heartfelt condolences to Jota's family, expressing his hope that they find "all the strength in the world " following the Liverpool forward's tragic demise.
Ronaldo's Instagram post, translated into English, read: "Doesn't make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."
Diogo leaves behind his wife and three children
Diogo lifted the Premier League trophy earlier this year(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Prince of Wales, who also serves as the patron of the FA, conveyed his profound sadness over Jota's passing, stating: "Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him."
Jota and his wife are believed to have started their relationship in 2013 and have since expanded their family to include three children – two sons and a daughter born last November. The footballer frequently shared glimpses of his family life on Instagram, while his wife posted updates from their vacations in exotic destinations such as Dubai and Lapland.
The family is also home to three pet beagles.
As recently as Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, shared a video from their wedding day, captioning it: "A day we will never forget."
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In the wake of the tragic events, Liverpool FC has established both physical and digital books of condolence, inviting supporters and the general public to pay their respects at the Anfield Road Stand reception or online at https://www.liverpoolfc.com/club/diogo-jota-supporter-condolences..
The club has also flown flags at half-mast at the stadium and closed all club facilities until Monday, offering wellbeing support to staff during this challenging period.
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