LIVERPOOL star Diogo Jota’s funeral is to begin tomorrow, just one day after he and his brother were tragically killed in a road smash.
Jota, 28, waskilled late on Wednesday nightwhen a tyre on his Lamborghini blew out and the car hurtled off the road, catching fire.
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His brother André Silva, 25, who played for Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel, was also in the car when it caught fire after crashing,killing both men.
The funerals will be held in their home town of Gondomar near the Portuguese city of Porto at 10am on Saturday.
Local priest Jose Manuel Macedo initially announced the ceremonies would take place at 4pm on Friday before confirming they had been put back to Saturday morning.
Father Macedo said a wake would take place at Sao Cosme Chapel before the funeral mass on Saturday morning at the Catholic church next door – the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.
Diogo Jota began his footballing career at a club in Gondomar and is also thought to have met his wife there.
It is not yet clear whether the men’s family will request privacy or make it a more public affair.
In Portugal, wakes are usually held before the funeral service.
Portugal’s president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is understood to be attending Diego and Andre’s wake.
Hearses were seen arriving at a funeral home in the Spanish town of Puebla da Sanabria, northwestern Spain, this afternoon.
The brothers were travelling through Zamora, Spain on the A-52 towards Santander, where they were to catch a ferry to the UK.
The Portuguese ace hadmissed several matches last seasonafter suffering a rib injury in October during a match against Chelsea.
Jotawas due to return to Liverpool to take part in the club’s pre season games which start later this month.
Emergency crews rushed to the crash site in the early hours of the morning and managed to put out the flames.
Both brothers were tragically pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Zamora Provincial Council.
Their bodies were taken to a forensics unit in Zamora so autopsies could be performed.
What we know so far:
Rute was being consoled as she went about the harrowing task of assisting coroner’s officials attempting to identify her husband’s body.
She and other family members were reportedly seen comforting one another after arriving at the Zamora forensics unit.
The bodies were reported to have been released for burial and on their way to Portugal.
Sources claim they would be taken to the Chapel of the Resurrection in their home town of Gondomar.
Police are said to be looking into the crash as “a possible speeding incident”, according to a government source.
The crash occurred in the tiny municipality of Cernadilla at a notorious accident black spot.
A town hall official described the A-52 highway where the tragedy occurred as “very dangerous”.
Meanwhile another town hall source said: “As it passes through Cernadilla it is full of bends at 120 kilometres per hour.
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“Exceeding the speed limit or poor visibility at night are often the cause of accidents in these areas.”
Jota played on the left wing and up front forLiverpoolafter joining from Wolves in 2020 for a fee of £41million.
Liverpool FCpaid a touching tribute to Jotaas they said: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.”
They added that everyone at the club is still coming to terms with the “unimaginable loss”.
The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence.
A statement on behalf of Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon said: “This tragic situation and the reality of it is truly shocking, devastating and has left us numb with grief.
“We therefore cannot imagine how the immediate and wider family of these remarkable brothers must be feeling.
“Our thoughts, prayers and support are with them all.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has released a heartbreaking statement about the death of his forward, Jota.
Slot said: “What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.
“All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
The Portuguese nationalfootballteam have said they are “devastated” by Jota’s death.
They added that he “was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents”.
Jota had got married just 10 days ago to his longterm partner Rute Cardoso and the couple have three children, Dinis, Duarte, and a daughterwho was born in 2024.
The couple shared pictures of themselves in front of the altar with their kids on their big day.
In the caption, they said: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
TheInstagrampost received over 190,000 likes and over 1,000 comments.
And it included love heartemojisfrom fellow LiverpoolstrikerDarwin Nunez and Natalia Becker, wife of goalkeeper Alisson.
The Premier League described Jota – who won the competition for the first time earlier this year – as a “champion who will be forever missed”.
Both brothers’ former clubFC Portoalso paid tribute, saying: “Futebol Clube do Porto is in mourning.
“It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our youth player. May they rest in peace.”
There was a minute silence for Jota and his brother during tonight’s Women’s Euros match between Spain and Portugal.
Personal tributes have also been flooding infor the star, with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo honouring the footballing brothers.
He said on Instagram: “It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together in the selection, you had gotten married now.
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“To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish you all the strength in the world.
“I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Lionel Messi posted a touching image of Jota making a heart symbol with his hands with the message “QEPD” – short for the Spanish phrase “que en paz descanse” which translates to “may he rest in peace”.
Liverpool’s number nine, Darwin Nunez, shared an image of a beaming Jota coming on as a substitute for the Uruguayan last season.
The star striker said he will always remember Jota for his smile.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shared his own statement on his “great friend”.
The German, who signed Jota from Wolves for £45m in 2020, said on social media: “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it.”
He continued: “Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.
“We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them.”
Fellow Liverpool icons such as Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler and David James have all also paid their respects.
Carragher posted on Instagram: “Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota. Thoughts are with his wife Rute and their three kids.”
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added that Jota’s death is “devastating news”.
He told reporters today: “I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular.
“But there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.”
As Prince William said on X: “As part of the footballing family, I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother.”
Ex-player and pundit Gary Neville, Newcastle hero Alan Shearer and TV presenterPiers Morganall described the news as “heartbreaking”.
David Beckham also paid his respects.
Jota’s international teammate Ruben Neves posted online: “They say we only lose people when we forget about them.
“I’ll never forget you!”
Lamborghini have also addressed the crash involving one of their cars as they told The Sun: “We are saddened to learn of the accident that occurred in Spain involving a Lamborghini, in which Diogo and André Jota tragically lost their lives.
“In this moment of deep sorrow, we extend our heartfelt condolences to their family.”
The Portuguese forward started his career in his birthplace of Porto, playing for Paços de Ferreira.
He made his first Primeira Liga appearance in 2015 and a year later moved to Spanish giantsAtletico Madrid.
But the diminutive striker never made an appearance inLa Ligaand spent a year on loan at FC Porto where he scored eight goals.
This caught the eye of then-Championship side Wolves who loaned the 20-year-old before making the move permanent for a reported £12million.
His 17 goals helped propel Wolves to the Premier League where he continued to impress at the highest level, scoring 16 goals over the following two seasons.
Then in 2020, Klopp bolstered Liverpool’s attack by bringing in Jota.
In five seasons at the club, he scored 47 Premier League goals and helped Liverpool win the Premier League,FA Cupand two Carabao Cups.
Jota was also been a mainstay inPortugal’s national team for the past five years, scoring 14 goals in 49 appearances for his country.
Earlier thissummer, he won theUEFANations League, coming on as a substitute in the final againstSpain.
A tribute to Diogo Jota
By Sun Sports News Columnist,Dan King
DIOGO Jota won every major honour in English football with Liverpool before a car crash cruelly cut short his life.
But the pain of Jota’s death will also be felt particularly hard at Wolves, where he played a key role in the club’s transformation, as well as in his native Portugal.
The versatile forward was part of the squad that won a second Nations League title last month.
And in the last fortnight, Jota had married long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
His sudden death at the age of 28, along with brother and fellow footballer Andre in an horrific accident, is heartbreaking.
Because Jota was not only a highly gifted footballer, he was also one of the good guys.
An intelligent, thoughtful man, who spoke English better than some natives and who dedicated himself to his career and family.
By helping Liverpool win the Premier League title last season, Jota completed the full set of domestic trophies after the Reds lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in 2021/22.
Although injury and competition for places restricted Jota’s contribution, he still scored key goals as Arne Slot’s side claimed a record-equalling 20th English championship.
What turned out to be the last of his 65 strikes for the Reds was the only goal in the Merseyside derby at Anfield in February.
It was typical Jota. While Everton defenders hesitated, the small but strong Portuguese forward bustled on to the ball, beat two men and buried the ball in the net.
Jota had bumps in the road before reaching the top of the game with Liverpool and Portugal.
After making his debut for Pacos de Ferreira at the age of 17, he moved to Atletico Madrid at 19.
But he soon went on loan to Porto, where he did well enough to attract the attention of ambitious Wolves, who were then in the Championship.
In his first season in England, he scored 17 league goals to fire the club back into the Premier League as champions.
Jota was a popular member of the dressing room which featured a strong Portuguese contingent.
He held his own in the top flight, but there was some surprise when Liverpool signed him in a deal worth up to £45m.
Yet in his five seasons at Anfield, he played an important role in the Reds’ potent front four as the club claimed English honours and went close to European glory.
Jota scored 21 times as Jurgen Klopp’s side hunted down a Quadruple in 2021/2, winning the domestic cups, taking the title race to the final day and losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid.
His total of 65 goals in 182 appearances does not tell the full story of his contribution on and off the field.
After coming close more than once, it was special for Jota finally to lift the Premier League trophy in May.
For Portugal, Jota was part of a generation that delivered glory.
He was uncapped when selected in the squad for the Nations League final stages on home soil in 2019 and did not feature, making his debut later in the year.
Jota would go on to score 14 in 49 appearances. His last was as an extra-time substitute in last month’s Nations League final against Spain, which Portugal won on penalties.
That triumph was part of what was surely the best year of Jota’s life. For it to have ended, in such terrible circumstances, is incomprehensible.