Diogo Jota funeral latest: Liverpool stars join footballer’s wife to pay tribute at emotional service | OneFootball

✕

Close

Family and teammates carry coffins of Diogo Jota and his brother into funeral chapel

Distraught family, friends and teammates of Liverpool star Diogo Jota have gathered for his funeral after he died in a car crash in Spain.

The father-of-three died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after their Lamborghini burst into flames following a tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The mood was sombre as dozens of stars from the Liverpool and Portugal national teams arrived at the Capela da Ressurreicao, where just 11 days ago Jota had married his wife, Rute Cardoso.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and left-back Andy Robertson carried football shirt-shaped wreaths with Jota’s Number 20 on the back, followed closely by manager Arne Slot and other players from the club.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Joao Felix of Chelsea, and Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, were among the other footballing stars, legends, agents and media figures also pictured.

As the funeral bells rang out, family and friends carried and followed the two coffins into the Capela da Ressurreicao in heart-rending scenes.

Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, who he married just weeks ago. She was held closely by another woman as she followed behind her husband’s coffin, one hand rested on top.

The funeral began at 10am and the sound is being broadcast to the hundreds of reporters and mourners outside the church.

Wolves share emotional film celebrating Diogo Jota

Alex Croft5 July 2025 15:10

Remembering Diogo Jota's popular chant

The Liverpool chant for Diogo Jota was a clear fan favourite.

It quickly became one of the most popular chants after taking off in the away end in the Emirates in 2022 after Jota had scored two goals against Arsenal, while he was on scintillating form for his club.

And there is no doubt that it will be belted full volume from the Kop end throughout next season as Liverpool fans pay tribute to their former star.

To the tune of Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Liverpool fans sung:

"Oh, he wears the No 20 / He will take us to victory / And when he’s running down the left wing / He’ll cut inside and score for LFC / He’s a lad from Portugal / Better than Figo don’t you know / Oh, his name is Diogo!"

Alex Croft5 July 2025 14:43

Diogo Jota: The fan favourite who achieved more than he ever dreamed possible

The caption is more poignant now, even as the words have proved horribly wrong. “Yes to forever,” wrote Diogo Jota, accompanying social-media pictures of his wedding to his long-time partner Rute Cardoso. Within two weeks, Jota’s forever had ended, the Liverpool and Portugal forward killed in a car crash in Spain, along with his brother Andre Silva. His new wife is already a widow, his three young children left without a father.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” said Cristiano Ronaldo, his Portugal captain. There is a feeling of shock whenever a life is suddenly cruelly cut short, and Jota was just 28. It is still greater when someone has seemed as full of life as Jota did. He was often a smiling figure; “someone with an infectious joy,” Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation, said. He was popular wherever he went. “Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves,” his previous club said. Wolves described themselves as “heartbroken”, Liverpool as “devastated”.

Richard Jolly writes:

Alex Croft5 July 2025 14:02