Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were laid to rest at a church in Gondomar, near Porto, in Portugal on Saturday morning after their tragic passing earlier in the week. The siblings were involved in a fatal car crash on Thursday morning, with the football and wider world paying tribute to the pair since.
Liverpool and Portugal players were in attendance at the funeral, as well as some of Jota's old teammates at Wolves. However, varying circumstances stopped some from being able to attend the service, with Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo being a notable absentee.
Darwin Nunez and Digo Jota Related
Liverpool Players React to Diogo Jota's Death
Liverpool players, including Stefan Bajcetic and Darwin Nunez, have reacted to their teammate's death on social media.
Upon hearing the news, Ronaldo - who played 32 games alongside Jota for Portugal - paid a heartfelt tribute to his late teammate on X (formerly Twitter). The 40-year-old posted:
"It doesn't make sense. We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.
"To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."
Cristiano Ronaldo's Touching Reason For Missing Jota's Funeral
The pair won the Nations League together in June
As mentioned in his statement, Ronaldo last saw Jota as recently as June 8, as they both played a part in Portugal's UEFA Nations League final win against Spain. That would tragically be the final time they would be in each other's company.
The Al-Nassr forward's reason for missing the funeral and wake has been revealed by The Mirror, who claim Ronaldo didn't want to take any attention away from the heartbreaking proceedings. It is claimed that:
"Ronaldo was wary of appearing in the tiny town of Gondomar, and his presence overshadowing the farewell to his teammate and younger brother. He has been keeping a low profile in recent days, surrounded by his family."
The public nature of Jota and Silva's joint funeral has been seen on social media, and the Portugal captain didn't want to be seen as a distraction in any way, shape or form. High-profile teammates of Jota, such as Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Neves, were all in attendance after some saw Jota tie the knot with his wife, Rute Cardoso, just two weeks earlier in Porto.
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Jose Mourinho Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Liverpool Star Diogo Jota
Mourinho spoke from the heart.
Liverpool have confirmed they will uphold the remainder of Jota's contract with the club, ensuring his family are taken care of as much as possible. The late forward still had two years left on his deal at Anfield.