Hundreds gather as Liverpool attend Diogo Jota funeral following tragic accident
There are moments in football that transcend the sport. Moments where rivalries dissolve, matches take a back seat, and a community comes together not in celebration but in mourning. One such moment unfolded in Gondomar, Portugal, as Diogo Jota’s funeral took place — a harrowing and heartbreaking farewell to a footballer, a father, a brother, and a beloved son.
On a day that shook both Portugal and the wider footballing world, hundreds of mourners gathered at the Igreja de São Cosme e São Damião to say goodbye to Jota and his younger brother, André Silva. The two tragically lost their lives in a car accident earlier this week, sending shockwaves through the sport and leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew them — and even those who didn’t.
Liverpool squad unite in grief at Jota’s funeral
The entire Liverpool family — from the club’s first-team players to the coaching staff and executives — stood shoulder to shoulder with Jota’s loved ones on Saturday afternoon. Leading the delegation was new head coach Arne Slot, who only weeks ago had been planning for a season with Jota as one of his key attacking figures.
But this was no day for football. This was about honouring a life lost far too soon.
Club captain Virgil van Dijk was seen solemnly carrying a red wreath into the church. The tribute was marked with Jota’s number 20 shirt, a number he wore with quiet pride during his four-year spell at Anfield. Left-back Andy Robertson, a close friend of Jota’s, carried a separate wreath for Jota’s brother, André, bearing the number 30 — the number he wore for Portuguese side Penafiel.
Both wreaths were placed at the altar inside the small but packed church, as hymns and soft sobs filled the humid Portuguese air.
From Porto to Liverpool: The rise and legacy of Diogo Jota
Born in Massarelos, Jota had always been a quiet figure off the pitch — humble, thoughtful, and focused — but his impact on it was seismic. He rose through the ranks at Paços de Ferreira before catching the eye of Atlético Madrid and later making a name for himself at Wolves.
But it was at Liverpool where Jota found his true rhythm. Signed in 2020 by Jurgen Klopp, he quickly became a fan favourite — not because of flashy skills or headline-grabbing antics, but for his relentless work ethic, his clinical finishing, and his unflinching devotion to the team.
He scored 50 goals for the club across all competitions, but more than that, he played with a rare mix of determination and grace — a man who left it all on the pitch every single time.
A united show of respect: Portugal’s football community mourns together
The grief wasn’t limited to Merseyside. Several Portugal internationals, including Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Neves, made the journey to Gondomar. Neves, in particular, had just finished a Club World Cup match in the U.S. with Al-Hilal but flew across the Atlantic overnight to be there for his compatriot.
Their presence underlined just how respected and cherished Jota was within the Portuguese national team. Despite the fierce competition for places, Jota was widely admired for his humility and leadership, often praised by teammates for lifting spirits during training camps.
Even Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute earlier in the week, writing on social media: “Such a devastating loss. Diogo was not only a brilliant footballer but an incredible man. Rest in peace, brother.”
Mourning in Gondomar: The community comes out in force
Outside the church, a sea of supporters dressed in red stood in stunned silence. Many held Liverpool scarves and Portuguese flags. Others wept quietly, arms around loved ones. Local media reported that over 1,000 people gathered in and around the church, many of them locals who had watched Jota grow from a skinny teen with a dream into a national icon.
Local club Gondomar SC, where Jota played as a boy, announced they will rename their training complex in his honour. “He never forgot where he came from,” said Gondomar president Filipe Oliveira. “And we’ll never forget him.”
Children from Jota’s old primary school laid white flowers at the base of a temporary mural painted outside the church, bearing the words: “Para Sempre um dos nossos” — Forever one of ours.
What comes next for Liverpool after Jota’s passing?
There are no blueprints for how to move on from such a tragedy. Liverpool, a club so deeply rooted in its history and collective spirit, will take time to process the loss. Players will return to training eventually. Matches will resume. But for those closest to Jota — teammates like Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Cody Gakpo — the pain will linger far longer than the applause of any stadium.
Head coach Arne Slot summed it up best in a short, emotional statement to reporters after the service:
“We lost a brother. Football has given us so much, but today it has taken something we cannot replace.”
A legacy beyond the game
Jota leaves behind a fiancée and a young son. The club has vowed to support the family indefinitely, and a fund has been set up in his memory to support youth football initiatives in Portugal and Liverpool.
For fans, Jota was a fighter — not just in the penalty box, but in the way he carried himself. He was never the loudest or the flashiest, but he was dependable, driven, and deeply respected by all who knew him.
He was a man who let his football do the talking — and what a voice it was.
