Maria Pereira, 67, has been left heartbroken after the death of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in a car accident this week as she remembers the 'beautiful' brothers
William Morgan Reporter and Ryan Paton
03:43, 07 Jul 2025
The ECHO visited the place where Diogo Jota and Andre Silva grew up
Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's childhood friends have shared their memories of two lads who 'just wanted to play football'(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Maria Pereira, unable to hold back her tears, recalls fond memories of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. The 67-year-old woman, who lives next door to the brothers' grandfather, watched them grow from boys into football stars.
She was present at Liverpool FC forward's wedding when he exchanged vows with Rute Cardoso, a day that should have been the highlight of their summer. However, as we all know, events took a heartbreakingly tragic turn when Jota and Silva were killed in a car accident while on their way back to the UK.
This unimaginable loss has plunged the world into mourning, but the grief is especially palpable in the small row of houses off Rua da Minhoteira where Jota and Silva spent their childhood.
Her nephew, Cosme Oliveira, translated her words for the ECHO: "My aunt was very close to those two. She watched them grow from babies until now. She maintained contact with them all the time, especially with the family. This shocking news was strange, confusing and heartbreaking.
A football pitch at the bottom of the R. da Minhoteira, near where Diogo Jota and Andre Silva grew up
The football pitch near Diogo Jota and Andre Silva's childhood home
"His grandpa from his mother's side lives [next door] and we all have contact with him, almost everyday. They were the most humble and beautiful people that we ever have had here in this small town."
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The devastating loss has hit Cosme particularly hard as he cherishes memories of playing football with the two in their grandad's front yard during their childhood. The 30 year old reminisced: "We played from the garage door to the main gate.
"We played small tournaments. I remember back in 2010. We had the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, we had this idea that we could make our own tournament. He was Portugal. I was Argentina, Andre was Brazil."
Cosme laughed that there was only ever going to be one winner. He added: "Of course, [Diogo] won. His mood was always you can do better, you can do better. I sucked at football. We were just playing for fun. He was never looking for fame or money. He just wanted to play football. He just wanted to play what he liked most."
It's this desire and passion for the game that meant the number 20 was so loved by Liverpool FC fans and Cosme was grateful for the way Jota was embraced on Merseyside. He said: "You guys always received him well, so I think we all have to thank you for the way you welcomed our boy in your land."
Just like everyone else, Cosme is reeling from the devastating news and is holding onto those joyful memories from their childhood spent playing in the garden. He said: "Almost every summer, they would come to my house or we'd go to theirs to play FIFA or cycle to the town, or kick about in the yard.
"His grandma was sad we destroyed the fences. That was the good memories that stayed. I think that's what we have to hold."
Tiago Silva, 26, spoke to the ECHO about Diogo Jota and Andre Silva
Tiago Silva, 26, spoke to the ECHO about Diogo Jota(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The narrow street where Jota and Silva grew up is a close-knit family community, and Cosme's cousin, Tiago Silva, also cherishes the happy memories of playing with the brothers as kids.
He shared with the ECHO: "We played together, we laughed together. We played football on the streets and on the fields at the bottom of the road when I was a child.
"When he left for Liverpool, for Porto, for Atletico, we continued to see doors open up for him. He was a real guy. Not interested in fame, or nothing. He was a real good guy."
Their cousin Beatriz Bessa, who also resides in the same row of houses, believes Jota and Silva's legacy will endure as they will always be an inspiration to their community. The 22 year old expressed: "When we grew up, Diogo became a really good player but he stayed humble. As all of his family. They were really kind.
"I have a little brother and when we saw Portugal wasn't playing so well, we always used to say at the TV, 'put Diogo on'. All the kids, my cousins, my brothers, they look at him as a hero."
Despite their success, the brothers never lost touch with their roots on the small road off Rua da Minhoteira in Sao Cosme, and their influence continues to resonate throughout the neighbourhood. The brothers' grandad is a frequent visitor to the Clube de Caça e Pesca de Aguiar at the end of the road.
Carlos Sousa and Vanessa Marques in front of the two shirts Diogo Jota donated to their pub
Carlos Sousa and Vanessa Marques in front of the two shirts Diogo Jota donated to their pub
The venue, while described as a hunting club, is more akin to a local pub and exudes a community vibe. Two Jota shirts from his time at Liverpool FC and Wolves are proudly displayed on the walls.
Pub owners Carlos Sousa and Vanessa Marques proudly gesture towards the iconic number 20 red shirt hanging on the wall, revealing it was a gift from the player himself. Speaking on behalf of Carlos, Vanessa shared: "They are a good family and he was a good child. He used to play football in here. He was a very special person. A very empathetic person."
Rather than their footballing prowess and the success they've achieved on the pitch, it's their character that will linger in the memories of the community where Jota and Silva were raised.
Cosme said: "When we seen them, they were always smiling, they were always happy, they were always happy with their simple life. They are the true meaning that you don't need expensive shoes or expensive equipment to become a footballer. You just have to have love for what you do."
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He added: "They both are the meaning of humble. The passion for football. They never lost their roots here. They never forgot this little town and what we represent. The good memories that we have with them here will always live."