Scottish footballer Andy Robertson was seen holding a wreath as he entered the church in Portugal to pay his respects.
10:55, 05 Jul 2025Updated 10:55, 05 Jul 2025
The funeral is being held in Jota's hometown
The funeral is being held in Jota's hometown(Image: Phil Harris)
Liverpool star Diogo Jota is being laid to rest in an emotional funeral after him and his brother lost their lives in a devastating crash.
The Premier League footballer and his younger brother Andre Silva both lost their lives in a devastating crash near Zamora close to Spain's north-west border with Portugal on Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred just days after Jota's marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso - who had to identify her husband and his brother after the crash.
Church bells rang out at 10am at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar catholic church in Gondomar, outside Porto, so signal the start of the funeral. The duo's coffins were carried through a procession and into the church, with Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves being one of Jota's pallbearers, reports the Mirror.
Jota's coffin being carried in
Jota's coffin being carried in
Jota’s wife Rute, dressed in all white white, appeared distraught and had to be supported by family members who looked to be helping hold her up as she wept while holding onto the back of her husband's casket.
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As the coffins made their way into the church, the toiling of the bells was replaced by the sound of violins, an organ and applause as emotional attendees, many with their heads bowed, made their way in behind Priest Jose Manuel Macedo.
Among the attendees were Scottish footballer Andy Robertson, as well as Portugal manager Roberto Martinez and national team teammates Ruben Dias, Nelson Semedo, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, among others.
His Liverpool teammates Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson carried in flowers in the shape of his Liverpool 20 shirt.
Van Dijk and Robertson brought in flowers
Van Dijk and Robertson brought in flowers(Image: PA)
The service was broadcasted on a speaker, so mourners outside the church could hear.
A eulogy is read across the speaker: "We are present with you. There will be tears and prayers. Tears, it is human. We are not insensitive when people have broken hearts. In this prayer, in mass we have heard gospel.
"We are here in solidarity and love and both are stronger than death."
An organist leading the hymns played The Lord is My Shepherd and Hallelujah.
The funeral followed Friday night's wake at the Capela da Ressurreicao and widespread tributes to the duo.
Scenes at Anfield
Scenes at Anfield(Image: PA)
Liverpool players arrived in Portugal on Friday to pay their respects to their beloved teammate and his brother. Among those attending were the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones.
Captain Van Dijk led a group that included Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa and Arne Slot. Ex-Liverpool players in Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson and James Milner were also present on Friday evening, while Darwin Nunez attended earlier in the day.
The Dutch centre back, Van Dijk, vowed to support Jota's family as he expressed his feelings following Jota's passing. Posting on Instagram, Van Dijk wrote: "Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.
"You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids.
"I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.
"We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre."
Robertson also produced a powerful tribute to 'his mate'. The defender said: "The ones I'm thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I'm so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls - Diogo and Andre.
"For the team and the Club, we'll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy. I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now.
"It's the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun. He was the most British foreign player I've ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I'd try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.
"We'd watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family. "I can't believe we're saying goodbye. It's too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate - and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot also offered some words. The Dutchman said: "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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