Players from Liverpool FC and Portugal's national team joined family and friends on Saturday to attend the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, just two days after the siblings died in a tragic car crash in Spain. The service was held at Igreja Matriz church in Gondomar, near Porto, where Jota had a family home. The 28-year-old Liverpool forward and his 25-year-old brother were killed early Thursday when their Lamborghini veered off a quiet highway near Zamora in northwestern Spain and burst into flames. Spanish authorities suspect a blown tire caused the accident. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk arrived at the church carrying a floral tribute shaped like a red football jersey with Jota's No. 20. Teammate Andrew Robertson followed with a similar arrangement marked with the No. 30, worn by André Silva during his time at Portuguese club Penafiel. Liverpool manager Arne Slot also joined the club delegation. Portugal international Rúben Neves, who had played the night before for Al Hilal in the Club World Cup in Orlando, served as a pallbearer for Jota. He was joined by João Cancelo, also from Al Hilal, who was visibly emotional during the minute of silence observed before Friday's quarterfinal match. Both players were among several who flew back to Portugal immediately after the game. Church bells rang at 10:00 a.m. as mourners gathered. The caskets were carried into the church by pallbearers, followed by family members and hundreds of friends, including players from Gondomar FC, where Jota began his football journey at age 9. Portugal's national team coach Roberto Martínez, Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias, and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes were also in attendance. "These are really, really sad days," said Martínez. "But today we showed we are a large, close family. Their spirit will be with us forever." Porto's Bishop Manuel Linda led the funeral mass, which filled the church to capacity, with dozens of mourners following the service via loudspeaker outside. After the mass, the coffins were carried to the nearby cemetery for burial. Jota's death comes only two weeks after he married longtime partner Rute Cardoso during his summer break. The couple had three children together, the youngest born last year. The brothers had been traveling to northern Spain to catch a boat bound for England so Jota could rejoin Liverpool following the offseason. The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief from the global football community, with tributes pouring in from clubs, players, fans, and Portuguese officials. The Portuguese forward had just completed a successful season, helping Liverpool win the Premier League title. — Agencies
