While Liverpool and the world of soccer mourns the death of Diogo Jota, in the Portuguese town of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto, the emotion feels particularly raw.
It was there Jota and his brother Andre Silva made their first steps in the world of soccer, a path that would lead them both to the professional game. But at 11:30pm local time on Thursday night, a little under 24 hours after the brothers passed away, their bodies sadly returned.
On Friday, the siblings’ wake will take place in Gondomar, a town where the club’s academy is named after Jota. Flowers, scarves, shirts and other mementos were left outside Gondomar Sport Club after the news broke.
Sky News spoke to Miguel Rocha outside the club premises. He played with Jota for over a decade at youth level and was holding a Wolverhampton Wanderers jersey gifted to him by the recently departed Liverpool star.
“Back then, every child dreams of going professional,” Rocha told Sky. “But at the same time, we know it's very difficult, but he got it.
“Me and my colleagues who played together back then, we were all very proud.
“This community of Gondomar, as well as Portugal, every time we saw Diogo Jota on the pitch, we felt very proud. Nothing but pride.”
Portuguese football agent Jorge Mendes gets in his car after leaving the funeral home in Puebla de Sanabria
Agent Jorge Mendes arrived in Gondomar ahead of the funeral (Image: Getty Images)
It comes as Gondomar’s president, Alvaro Cerqueira, reveals he spoke to Jota on the phone just before his death.
“It was just after 10 pm last night [Thursday], we were on the phone and he was fine,” he told NJ.
"We spoke almost every week, and I know he was going through a happy moment. When Diogo needed to train during the off-season, he would ask to come here, and we would always make everything available.
“His brother would usually come too, and they would both train. It is difficult to talk at a time like this, but what will remain is the image of two very humble people, who leave a huge void.”
Tributes have been laid outside Anfield for Diogo Jota
Tributes have been laid outside Anfield for Diogo Jota (Image: Getty Images)
The brothers tragically died in Zamora, a north-western region of Spain, after the tire of Jota’s Lamborghini blew out on the motorway, causing the vehicle to skid off the road. It was engulfed in flames and the siblings were pronounced dead at the scene.
Since then, a flood of well-wishers made their way to Anfield on Thursday to pay their respects to the 28-year-old, who wore the No. 20 jersey in Liverpool’s 20th league title.
High-profile figures from the world of sport and further afield have posted messages of condolences since Jota’s passing, including the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Current and former Liverpool players have also shared anecdotes and memories of Jota, while the club have opened a physical and online book of condolence for fans to sign.