On a somber Saturday morning in Gondomar, Portugal, the world of football and beyond came to a standstill. The funeral of Diogo Jota, Liverpool and Portugal’s beloved...

On a somber Saturday morning in Gondomar, Portugal, the world of football and beyond came to a standstill. The funeral of Diogo Jota, Liverpool and Portugal’s beloved forward, and his younger brother, Andre Silva, unfolded in a wave of grief, love, and unity. Just days after a tragic car accident in Spain claimed their lives, hundreds gathered at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar to pay their last respects.

The air was thick with emotion as the brothers’ coffins were carried into the church, accompanied by the tolling of bells and the applause of mourners. Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso—whom he had married only eleven days before—walked behind, supported by family, her hand resting gently on her husband’s coffin. The couple’s three young children were present, their lives forever changed.

A Gathering of the Football World

 Sky Sports  reports that the funeral was attended by a constellation of football stars and dignitaries:

Liverpool’s delegation: Captain Virgil van Dijk, manager Arne Slot, Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, and Joe Gomez, among others, arrived in silence, carrying floral tributes shaped like football shirts—one with Jota’s iconic number 20, another with Andre’s number 30.

Portuguese national team: Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Renato Veiga, Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio, and Ruben Neves stood shoulder to shoulder, united in grief.

Football legends and officials: Former Liverpool player Fabinho, Porto president Andre Villas-Boas, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, and football federation chief Pedro Proenca joined the mourners.

According to ESPN, some of the voices that spoke and players ' tributes includes the outpouring of love from teammates and rivals alike painted a portrait of Jota as not just a gifted footballer, but a cherished friend and human being:

Alexis Mac Allister: “I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you a person. It hurts a lot, we will miss you. Rest in peace, dear Diogo.”

Dominik Szoboszlai: “Words cannot describe how heartbroken and devastated we are… Your smile, your love for the game will never be forgotten. We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch.”

Cody Gakpo: “I love you brother. May your soul rest in peace.”

Curtis Jones: “An unbelievable player and a great person to everyone. Grateful we shared so many memories on and off the pitch brother.”

Conor Bradley: “What an incredible footballer but an even better person… I’ll always remember the first time you invited me to your room to play FIFA… You were always there for me and always helped me settle in with the lads, which I’ll be forever grateful for.”

Kostas Tsimikas: “We moved to the club the same period. We were the new boys in the city. We shared and celebrated some of our best moments of our careers together… You were a special player, a special guy, a true legend, Diogo. You’ll always be remembered and always be loved.”

Cristiano Ronaldo: “Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.”