The funeral services for Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Filipe Teixeira da Silva, have been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday in Gondomar, a town near Porto in northern Portugal.
Initially, local priest Father José Manuel Macedo had announced that the funerals would take place at 4 p.m. on Friday.
However, the services were postponed to Saturday morning due to minor paperwork delays related to the repatriation process, as the family was still in Spain as of Thursday evening.
The proceedings will begin with a wake at the São Cosme Chapel, followed by a funeral Mass at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the town’s main Catholic church.
Gondomar holds personal significance for Jota, who started his football career at a local club there and is believed to have met his wife in the same area.
It remains unclear whether the ceremonies will be private or open to the public.
The tragic deaths of the two brothers in a car accident near Zamora, Spain, have drawn an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the football world. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, and current manager Arne Slot are among those who have shared heartfelt condolences.
Liverpool players also shared heartfelt messages in Jota’s memory. Alexis Mac Allister wrote on Instagram: “I can’t believe it. I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you who you were. It hurts a lot, we will miss you. Rest in peace, dear Diogo.”
Dominik Szoboszlai added: “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. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, brother.”
As the football world mourns, Saturday’s service will offer a final opportunity to say goodbye to the beloved Portuguese international and his brother.