The Portugal international and his brother's bodies arrived at the chapel on Friday morning
Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro (L)
Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro (L), arriving at the chapel
(Image: Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)
The Prime Minister of Portugal has arrived to pay his respects at the wake of Diogo Jota. 28-year-old Jota died alongside his brother Andre Silva following a crash on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday.
Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking. Tributes from the football world and beyond flooded in for the father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago. António Köch, of the São Cosme Parish Church, Gondomar, told the ECHO the bodies have arrived at the Resurrection Chapel, attached to the church in the community, east of Porto, where the brothers were brought up.
The wake is currently taking place at the chapel this morning, with family and close friends paying their respects before the public is invited in from 4pm onwards.
Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's funeral will be held tomorrow, Saturday, July 5, at the São Cosme Parish Church from 10am.
People arrive for the wake of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
People arrive for the wake of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva(Image: Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)
In photos from the chapel this morning, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, was seen arriving to pay his respects, as well as friends as family who arrived with flowers before embracing each other in an emotional moment.
As the news broke yesterday, people paid tribute to the brothers, with thousands heading to Anfield to lay scarves, flowers and tributes to Jota.
The mood at Anfield was sombre, with fans sharing memories of the striker, and as the sun rose on Friday a sea of scarves covered the grass on 97 Avenue outside the Main Stand in what has become a makeshift shrine to Jota and his brother.
The ECHO spent much of Thursday speaking to shocked fans who were processing the news of Jota's death. Tearful Liverpool fans started to gather by the statue of legendary manager Bill Shankly to lay down scarfs and flowers. Many moved towards 97 Avenue opposite the Main Stand, where the makeshift shrine was set-up.
The club opened both physical and digital books of condolences in memory of Jota and brother Andre, with hundreds queuing to enter reception of the Anfield Road Stand to sign the book last night.
Capelas da Ressurreicao
Capelas da Ressurreicao(Image: Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)
Last night saw Reds manager Arne Slot pen a lengthy and touching tribute to the player who had spent just a season under Slot's stewardship as they lifted the Premier League title.
He said: "What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.
“All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss."
He added: "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."