
Diogo Jota was buried in his hometown on Saturday. © ANSA / NUNO VEIGA
Funeral: The world says goodbye to Jota
The tragic death of Diogo Jota shocked the world. On Saturday morning, the Liverpool FC striker was buried alongside his brother André Silva. The club is providing financial support to his wife.
July 05, 2025
From: dpa/nie
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk carried a bouquet of flowers with Diogo Jota's number 20 on his shirt, and his national team colleague Ruben Neves flew in directly from the Club World Cup in the USA: Family and close friends of the Portuguese international football player from Liverpool FC, Diogo Jota, and his brother André da Silva, who died in a fatal accident, said goodbye at an emotional memorial service.
The small church in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, accommodated only a few mourners from the closest circle. Many more people waited in silent reverence and mourning in the square in front of the church. At the end of the funeral service, the two simple wooden coffins were carried out of the church to the sound of ringing bells. Priests led the funeral procession to the cemetery directly adjacent to the church. Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, was also visible in photos. A large crowd had already been waiting in the cemetery to watch the burial from a distance.
Friend Neves flew from the Club World Cup to the funeral
Numerous of Diogo Jota's teammates also attended the funeral: In addition to Liverpool stars van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and coach Arne Slot, Diogo Jota's friend and national team colleague Neves was among many others. The Portuguese had played for Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup the previous evening and wept for his deceased friend during a minute's silence.At the Club World Cup, a minute's silence was held for Diogo Jota and his brother. © APA / FRANCOIS NEL
The leaders of the Portuguese state, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, as well as friends, neighbors, athletes, and fans, had already paid their last respects to the brothers the previous day at the traditional wake. The atmosphere during the wake, which lasted well into the night, was traditionally quiet; visitors offered their condolences to the relatives, and some prayed together.
Diogo Jota had recently married
Diogo Jota, 28, whose real name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, died in a car accident in northwest Spain on Thursday night along with his brother André da Silva (25). The accident was likely caused by a blown tire. The car left the road, crashed through a guardrail, and burst into flames.Diogo Jota and his wife Rute Cardoso. © ANSA / INSTAGRAM/RUTE CARDOSO
The football world reacted with shock to the news of Jota's death. Jota had just married his longtime girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. The two had been together since their school days. The family is receiving special support during this difficult time, with Liverpool FC set to pay Jota's two outstanding annual salaries (seven million euros per year) to his surviving relatives.
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