Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva's Funeral Set for July 5 in Gondomar, Portugal

The funeral for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva is scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at 10 a.m. local time in Gondomar, Portugal, at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, located approximately 33 kilometers from Porto. The brothers tragically lost their lives in a car accident near Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025. A wake will be held on Friday, July 4, at the Capela da Ressurreição in São Cosme, Gondomar, starting at 8 a.m., offering the community a chance to pay their respects.

According to reports, the accident occurred on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, when the Lamborghini they were traveling in suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, causing it to veer off the road and catch fire. Spanish authorities, including the Guardia Civil, are continuing their investigation, with preliminary findings pointing to the tire blowout as the cause. The vehicle was completely burned, and the surrounding vegetation also caught fire, requiring intervention from emergency services.

Diogo Jota, aged 28, and André Silva, aged 25, were en route to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, as Jota had been advised against flying following minor lung surgery. The surgery, performed at the end of the season, addressed a slight collapse of his right lung, and Jota had reportedly made a strong recovery, according to his physiotherapist, Miguel Gonçalves. Gonçalves noted that Jota was in high spirits, eager to return to Liverpool for pre-season training, and was accompanied by his brother for the journey.

The bodies of the brothers arrived in Gondomar, André Silva’s birthplace, just before midnight on Thursday, transported by hearses from a funeral home in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain. They were met with applause and tears from local residents, reflecting the deep impact both had on their community. Jota, a beloved figure in Gondomar, began his football career at the local Gondomar Sport Clube, where the academy was named in his honor in 2022. André Silva was a professional footballer for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.

Jota’s agent, Jorge Mendes, visibly emotional, spoke of the loss, saying, “We’ve lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, and professional. I still can’t believe it, it’s very difficult.” Mendes was seen accompanying Jota’s mother to the funeral home. Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he married just two weeks prior on June 22, 2025, also visited the Capela da Ressurreição, along with other family members, including Jota’s grandfather. The couple leaves behind three young children.

Tributes have poured in from across the football world and beyond. Liverpool Football Club issued a statement expressing their devastation and opened physical and digital books of condolence at Anfield, where fans have left flowers, scarves, and messages. The club’s flags are at half-mast, and its stores, museums, and tours are closed until Monday. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed their condolences, with Montenegro attending the wake. Gondomar’s mayor, Luís Filipe Araújo, declared a day of municipal mourning on July 4, describing Jota as an “ambassador for the town.”

The local priest, Jose Manuel Macedo, emphasized the community’s shared grief and hope, stating, “We’re available to celebrate [their life] with everyone and to share the pain and the Christian hope.” Hundreds are expected to attend the wake and funeral, including family, friends, former coaches, and representatives from Liverpool and the Portuguese Football Federation. In Liverpool, fans have created a makeshift memorial outside Anfield, and tributes have come from teammates, including Harvey Elliott, who described Jota as “humble, hardworking, kind, and always there for anyone.”

Jota, known for his versatility, clinical finishing, and high work rate, played 182 games and scored 65 goals for Liverpool, contributing to their Premier League title in 2024–25, an FA Cup, and two EFL Cups. He also won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in June 2025. André Silva, a midfielder, was a rising talent at Penafiel, which declared a day of mourning and plans to honor him at future events.

The football community continues to mourn the loss of two talented players and cherished individuals, with Gondomar and Liverpool united in grief and remembrance.

Sources: ESPN, Daily Mail, BBC Sport, The Guardian, Liverpool Echo