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Liverpool players join family of Diogo Jota and his brother for funeral held in Portugal

ABC News's profile
Original Story by ABC News
July 5, 2025
Liverpool players join family of Diogo Jota and his brother for funeral held in Portugal

Context:

Liverpool players and Portuguese soccer figures gathered in Gondomar, Portugal, to mourn Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain. The brothers were traveling to catch a boat to England when their car, a Lamborghini, crashed and burst into flames, possibly due to a blown tire. The funeral service, held at Igreja Matriz church, brought together notable figures like Portugal's national team coach Roberto Martínez and players from Manchester City and Manchester United. Diogo Jota's untimely death came just weeks after he married Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, following a successful season with Liverpool. The soccer community and Portuguese officials expressed their condolences, highlighting the profound impact of the loss on those who knew the brothers.

Dive Deeper:

  • Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain while traveling to catch a boat to England. The crash occurred on an isolated stretch of highway near Zamora, and the car burst into flames, with police suspecting a blown tire as the cause.

  • The funeral took place in Gondomar, Portugal, attended by Liverpool teammates, Portuguese national team coach Roberto Martínez, and prominent Portuguese players like Bernardo Silva, Rúben Dias, and Bruno Fernándes.

  • Diogo Jota had recently married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso and was a father of three children. His death came after a successful season in which he contributed to Liverpool's Premier League victory.

  • Jota was born in Porto and began his soccer career in Gondomar, while his brother André Silva played for Penafiel in Portugal's lower divisions.

  • The tragic event prompted an outpouring of condolences from the global soccer community and Portuguese officials, reflecting the brothers' influence and the sorrow felt by their sudden loss.

  • The brothers' bodies were repatriated to Portugal after being identified by family members, and a wake was held the day before the funeral service.

  • Spanish authorities are continuing their investigation into the crash, confirming that no other vehicle was involved in the incident.

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