Diogo Jota funeral latest: Liverpool stars to attend emotional ceremony for footballer and his brother in Gondomar
Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, who he married last month, arrived alongside other members of the family, in sombre scenes as they morn the loss of Jota and his brother Andre Silver.
The ceremony at the Capela da Ressurreicao on Friday will begin at 10am and follows a private and public wake held for the Liverpool player on Friday evening, attended by past and present teammates.
Players and close friends from both his national team and Liverpool FC are expected to attend the funeral, after a flight to Portugal was reportedly chartered by the UK club.
Reports in Portugal say the players, most of whom are still on summer holiday, are expected to attend but Liverpool have yet to confirm arrangements.
The footballer had been travelling in a Lamborghini with his brother when the car veered off the road and burst into flames following what police suspect was a tyre blowout while overtaking.
What we know about the fatal car crash involving Jota and his brother Andre
Millions of football fans worldwide will follow along as the family, friends and teammates of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, arrive in Gondola for the pair’s funeral.
But what do we know about the devastating crash which shocked the world?
The incident took place at around 12:30am on Thursday local time, on the A-52 road in Zamora, northwestern Spain.
The crash occurred after a tyre blowout while the car was overtaking another, Spain’s Civil Guard said after the crash.
Jota’s car, reported to be a Lamborghini, left side of the road and erupted in flames. It is unknown which brother was driving.
We know that Diogo Jota was returning to the UK to join pre-season training with Liverpool, after undergoing a minor operation in Portugal. Due to his recent surgery, he had reportedly been advised to take the ferry rather than travel by plane.
Between the two carriageways of the A-52 remains a charred patch of grass, where the car came up in flames.
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:54
Jota’s former national team coach arrives at funeral
Former Portugese national team coach Fernando Santos has arrived at the location of the funeral.
Santos gave Diogo Jota his international debut in November 2019, when he came on as a substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in a 6-0 win against Lithuania in a Uefa Euro 2020 qualifier.
It would be nearly one year later, in September 2020, when Jota scored his first international goal under Santos in a 4-1 home win against Croatia in the Uefa Nations League.
Santos coached the national team from 2014 until 2022.
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:47
Highly emotional scenes as family members gather in Gondola
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:42
Portuguese physiotherapist reveals last moments with Jota
Miguel Gonçalves was the Portuguese physiotherapist who had treated Diogo Jota with minor surgery on his right lung, shortly before his tragic death.
Here is what Mr Gonçalves told Record of Costa about his last days with Jota, according to Marca:
The base of his right lung had collapsed slightly, but with post-operative physiotherapy he was practically perfect.
When I left him, he was no longer in pain and was going back to Liverpool. He told me that the trip would take about eight hours, but that they would stop at a hotel in the Burgos area to rest. Diogo was very aware of his professionalism. They had to get to Santander, catch the ferry, and then go to England.
The family would arrive later by plane, and then on Monday, he had a doctor’s appointment in Liverpool to assess the situation. I started working with him last Saturday and was with him every day until Wednesday. I said goodbye to them at dinner time.
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:27
Pictured: Jota’s wife arrives on day of funeral ceremony
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:16
Liverpool postpone pre-season return following death of forward Diogo Jot
Liverpool have cancelled the phased return of players for pre-season training as they continue to mourn the death of forward Diogo Jota.
The first group of Arne Slot’s squad were scheduled to attend the club’s AXA training complex on Friday for the opening round of physical tests after their summer break.
It is understood that has been postponed as the club deals with the aftermath of the shocking tragedy which saw 28-year-old Jota and his brother Andre Silva killed in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of Thursday.
Some of the squad was seen arriving for Diogo Jota’s wake on Friday, and they are due to attend his funeral in Gondomar on Saturday.
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:10
Liverpool to pay out rest of Jota’s contract to family
Liverpool FC will pay out the remainder of Diogo Jota’s contract to his family, according to reports in Portugal.
Two years remained of the star’s contract, which will be paid to the family, Record reported.
Alex Croft5 July 2025 08:00
Past and present Liverpool teammates arrive at wake on Friday
A number of Diogo Jota’s teammates arrived on Friday evening at the wake for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.
In solemn scenes, players including club captain Virgil van Dijk, former captain Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson, Caoimhin Kelleher, and James Milner arrived to pay their respects.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was also seen.
Applause broke out as they approached the site of the wake.
Alex Croft5 July 2025 07:50
