The town of Gondomar in Portugal was overcome with grief on Saturday as loved ones, football stars, and national leaders gathered for the funeral of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, who lost their lives in a devastating car accident on Thursday.
The service, which began at 10 a.m. local time (0900 GMT), was held in the brothers’ hometown near Porto—just two days after their car veered off a motorway in northwestern Spain and caught fire.
According to reports, the accident came just days after Jota celebrated his wedding, amplifying the sorrow surrounding the tragedy.
The moving ceremony was officiated by the Bishop of Porto and attended by key figures from Portugal’s political and football spheres.
Among those present were President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Jota’s longtime agent Jorge Mendes, Porto club president Andre Villas-Boas, and several childhood friends.
A wake held the previous day saw hundreds of mourners pay their final respects at São Cosme Chapel.
Emotions ran high as Jota’s grandfather, visibly distraught, was helped into the chapel, surrounded by a tightly knit and heartbroken family.
Diogo Jota, 28, had become a key player for both Liverpool FC and Portugal’s national team, while his 25-year-old brother André was fondly known in their local community.