The ECHO spoke to people in Portugal about the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva
Rita Silva, 17, and Rita Santos, 17, were at the chapel to pay their respects to Diogo Jota
Rita Silva, 17, and Rita Santos, 17, were at the chapel to pay their respects to Diogo Jota
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
People in Diogo Jota's hometown paid tribute to the Liverpool forward, saying he was an "example to everyone". The Portuguese player, 28, was travelling with his brother André Silva in northern Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning when his car was involved in a fatal crash.
It's been reported the accident, on the A52 known as Palacios de Sanabria, near the city of Zamora, was the result of a blown-out tyre as Jota and Silva, himself a player for Portuguese side Penafiel, were making their way towards a ferry that was bound for the UK ahead of a return to pre-season training.
A wake for the brothers was held at Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar near Porto today. Jota played for Gondomar as a teenager and its academy was named after him in 2022.
People in Gondomar went to the academy today to pay tribute, laying shirts and flowers outside the building. Among the mourners was Jose Moura, 44, from Gondomar, who came to pay his respects with his son Pedro Moura, 12.
About the news of the brothers' death, Jose told the ECHO: "It was very sad - we heard the news early morning.
"I didn't believe it at first. When my son asked me what happened I told him the truth. It was sad news, we think Diogo Jota and Andre Silva are Gondomar people who make Gondomar (known) over the world.
Jose Moura, 44, Pedro Moura, 12, from Gondomar paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
Jose Moura, 44, Pedro Moura, 12, from Gondomar paid tribute to Diogo Jota.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
"They bring people together, all these sad things, that we can grow a special thing. Children like him saw it as they grow, as they became men, they became football players. It's their dream to become an example. It's very sad, in truth. We are here to pay tribute.
About Jota's legacy in the town, Jose said: "My son likes Diogo Jota, we are here to pray and give the family our condolences.
"We have here an academy, with his name. Something that he has contributed to the village. We were devastated. Life is fragile and we have to continue to follow our dreams.
"If you want to be a football player, yes you can do it. You can go far. Gondomar, at this moment, is sad. I see the faces of the people - we are sad."
Rita Silva, 17, and Rita Santos, 17, were at the chapel to pay their respects today. Ms Silva was wearing a Porto shirt and Ms Santos was wearing a Liverpool top. They said Jota represented the best of their town.
Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28
Diogo Jota(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Ms Silva said: "He was the boy who got out. This is a small city and all of us dream to win in life and go to be the best in every work field we can. He got out - he was the one who got out and he was an example for everyone.
"He was a kid like us, he went to our school, he played in our fields and he won in life."
Ms Santos added: "He set a goal to achieve. He represents everything because he has a lot of things, he's not just a football player, he's a person like us. He was so humble."
About the two brothers, she continued: "They were special here. They are special for everyone. Two brothers, it's something that will impact all of us."
Porto FC President Andre Villas-Boas at the wake of Diogo Jota being held at Sao Cosme Chapel
Porto FC President Andre Villas-Boas at the wake of Diogo Jota being held at Sao Cosme Chapel
(Image: PA Wire)
FC Porto president Andre Villas-Boas also attended the wake. Jota had spent a season on loan at Porto earlier in his career and Silva had been part of the club's youth set up.
Villas-Boas, who previously managed Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham, told the ECHO: "First of all, on behalf of Porto and myself, condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre.
"They are two big losses because everybody cherished them for what they were, what they represented - their principles and their values. I think, today we see a family is broken, of their dreams.
"His father, his wife, Andre's girlfriend, their sons - the pain must be unbearable for them and you can see how strongly they have been holding on to so much pain.
"I think that is the first thing, the second thing is that Diogo was more of a public figure than Andre with his career. But he was a silent hero of a generation - a person that was an example as a player and a professional.
"On the pitch, he was a partner of FC Porto, who he supported. We have good and very fond memories of him and now it is the memories we have to hold onto.
A mourner wearing a Liverpool FC shirt pays their respects at the wake of Diogo Jota being held at Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar near Porto
A mourner wearing a Liverpool FC shirt pays their respects at the wake of Diogo Jota being held at Sao Cosme Chapel in the town of Gondomar near Porto
(Image: PA Wire)
"We pay respects to the family and of course to the clubs. Andre was with us for seven years in our youth academy, Diogo was only with us for one year but it was a lightning year where he scored a lot of goals and left a lot of good memories.
"Sincerely I hope the family can overcome so much pain, because it must be unbearable for all of them."
Jota, who won the Premier League title with the Reds last season before lifting the UEFA Nations League in June with Portugal, married long-term partner Rute Cardoso on June 22 at a ceremony attended by their three children.
The forward signed for Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020. He played 182 games for the club, scoring 65 times.
As well as last year's Premier League, he won the FA Cup and League Cup while at Anfield. Jota was capped 49 times by his country, scoring 14 goals.