"They were both great players and they were two great human beings"
Residents in the Portuguese town where Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva grew up have paid tribute. The Liverpool striker and his younger sibling were killed last week when their car crashed in northern Spain.
It's been reported the accident, on the A52 known as Palacios de Sanabria and near the city of Zamora, was the result of a blown-out tyre as Jota and Andre, himself a player for Portuguese side Penafiel, were heading for a ferry that was bound for the UK ahead of a return to pre-season training.
The brothers were laid to rest on Saturday and locals in Gondomar, the town where they grew up, spoke to the ECHO about their legacy and how they will never be forgotten.
One person said: "Nobody, nobody, nobody will ever forget what Diogo Jota did, especially in Liverpool. He is a fantastic player and in the national team too. We will never forget him. For Portuguese people it's a shock, a total shock we will never forget.
"The day of the crash I woke up on the morning and saw the news, I couldn't believe it. It's unfair but we can't do anything. He fought so much in smaller clubs to reach where he did, it's an example for everyone. For Portugal he had the characteristics that we must follow and fight for and it's an example for everyone."
Carlos Vara also paid tribute. He said: "They mean a lot because they come from a very humble family. They were both great players and they were two great human beings and it's important for us.
Carlos Vara paid tribute to Diogo Jota
Carlos Vara paid tribute to Diogo Jota
"They have a special light, it means a lot. You don't have to be number one in the world to be a good player and person but they were both.
"They started from the bottom as kids and kept on pushing and going on step by step, that's why they are where they are now. Other kids follow their example."
Gondomar local Diogo Rocha, 29, recalled how Jota would often visit the town's local football club when he returned home. He said: "From every time he came back to Portugal he always wanted to visit his home club.
"He was a very important person for the community and especially for young kids in his club. I hope their legacy continues and the club continues to grow."
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