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Grief swept through Portugal on Friday as dozens gathered to honour the memory of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, following their tragic deaths in a car accident in Spain.
The 28-year-old footballer and his brother, Silva, aged 25, died on Thursday when their vehicle veered off a motorway in northwestern Spain and caught fire. The incident occurred just days after Jota had married.
A wake was held at a chapel in Gondomar, a suburb of Porto and Jota’s hometown, ahead of the funeral set for 10 am on Saturday. Immediate family, including his parents and elderly grandfather—who needed assistance to walk—were among the first to pay their respects.
Mourners, some in tears, arrived carrying floral wreaths before the chapel was opened to the public. High-profile figures, including Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, football agent Jorge Mendes, and Porto club president Andre Villas-Boas, were also present to pay tribute.
“Football is in mourning,” said Pedro Proença, president of the Portuguese Football Federation. “Diogo was a shining symbol of the talent our country produces.”
Outside the Diogo Jota Football Academy, near where he began his youth career at Gondomar SC, fans created a heartfelt memorial, laying down candles, shirts, scarves, and handwritten notes. One child’s message simply read, “Thank you, Diogo Jota,” as visitors stood in silent reflection.
Francisco Goncalves, a 66-year-old court official, described the accident as “a senseless disaster… no one understands what happened.”
Pedro Neves, a school friend from Gondomar, remembered Jota as “a kind, cheerful person who always had a smile on his face.” He added, “He left us far too young. It’s heartbreaking—but that’s life, sometimes.”
At Porto’s Estadio do Dragao, flags flew at half-mast, and a photograph of Jota in the club’s colours was displayed on a large screen.
Meanwhile, Liverpool FC opened a book of condolences and lowered flags to half-mast. Supporters flocked to Anfield, leaving a sea of flowers, balloons, and Jota shirts.
A similar tribute appeared at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux stadium, where Jota previously played in the Premier League.
In response to the tragedy, Liverpool reportedly postponed the start of preseason training. The club also suspended ticket sales for a scheduled friendly match on July 13.
Even at Wimbledon, where strict dress codes are the norm, an exception was made. Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral was allowed to wear a black ribbon on court in memory of Jota.
