The Portuguese town of Gondomar, near Porto, is bracing for an emotional farewell this Saturday as it prepares to bury two of its sons Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Filipe Teixeira da Silva.
The brothers tragically lost their lives in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, sending shockwaves through the global football community.
Initially set for Friday afternoon, the funeral services were delayed due to minor repatriation paperwork. The proceedings are now scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. The change has given the grieving family, who were still in Spain as of Thursday night, time to return home and complete necessary arrangements.
The farewell will begin with a wake at the São Cosme Chapel and will continue with a funeral Mass at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the town’s main Catholic church. Gondomar holds deep personal significance for Jota, as it was not only where he began his football journey but also where he reportedly met his wife.
It remains unclear whether the ceremony will be open to the public, but fans and locals are expected to gather outside in solidarity. Many see the funeral as more than a private goodbye, it’s a symbolic moment for a community proud to have watched Jota rise from local talent to international stardom.
The tragic accident that claimed both brothers has left the football world in mourning. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, including heartfelt messages from Liverpool players, former manager Jürgen Klopp, and club legends such as Sir Kenny Dalglish. “We are heartbroken,” said teammate Dominik Szoboszlai, echoing the collective sorrow felt by fans and colleagues alike.
Saturday’s service will mark a somber end to a story of promise cut short. For Gondomar and beyond, it will be a time to honor two lives lost too soon and to celebrate the legacy Diogo Jota leaves behind, both on and off the pitch.
