Diogo Jota of the Liverpool soccer team. / Credit: Spanish-language edition of EWTN News
ACI Prensa Staff, Jul 9, 2025 / 20:19 pm (CNA).
In an atmosphere of deep recollection and sadness, but also of hope, the funeral of Portuguese soccer players Diogo Jota of the Liverpool Football Club and his brother André Silva, who died last Thursday in a traffic accident in Zamora, Spain, was held on July 5. Jota's marriage to Rute Cardoso had been solemnized in the Church just 11 days prior. They have three children.
At the funeral, which took place in the town of Gondomar's main church on the outskirts of Porto, Portugal, the coffins were brought in as the church bells rang. The funeral was attended by several of Jota's teammates, including Liverpool F.C. captain Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Argentine Alexis MacAllister, Uruguayan Darwin Nuñez and coach Arne Slot.
Father Alípio Germano Barbosa, who was the pastor of the church in Gondomar for more than 18 years and who gave Diogo and André their First Communion, fondly recalled the time the brothers were part of his parish community.
"I lived here for 18 and a half years, and closely followed the human and Christian growth of these two young men, with great affection for them and their family," the priest who attended the funeral told AP.
"They were very well-behaved, humble, and courageous boys. In fact, following in the steps of their parents and grandparents, they were deeply connected to the local community and, naturally, participated in community life, the sacraments, Christian fellowship, and communion," Germano added.
Roberto Martínez, coach of the Portuguese national football team, told the press at the funeral: "These are very sad days, as you can imagine, but today we have shown that we are a large and united family."
"We are Portugal, and it was essential for us to be together and the world will be united, and his spirit will be with us forever. Thank you so much for your messages, for your support, and for everything we have received from all over the world. It means a lot, and today we are all a football family," he emphasized.
The bishop of Porto's homily at the brothers' funeral
The funeral Mass for Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva was celebrated by the bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, who first addressed the children of the late Liverpool player who did not attend the funeral:
"Right now you're suffering immensely. Or maybe you're not, because you don't even realize the tragedy that has befallen your family. You will become aware of it later. And it will be terrible. But I will pray to Jesus for you."
"The one who suffers deeply," the prelate continued, "is your mother, Rute. She is heartbroken! Likewise, your grandparents, Isabel and Joaquim, and the rest of your family. Seeing before you a coffin containing the remains of a son must be the ultimate torment. But when it's not just one coffin, but two, belonging to two brothers... there are no words."
"We are here to say that we too suffer greatly," the bishop continued, "We are here with you emotionally…Yes, tears! It's human! It would be a shame for us if we didn't."
Linda encouraged having "faith and hope in the resurrection." "This communion of life is achieved through baptism and good works…Your father, Diogo, was married in the Church 11 days before he died."
After highlighting the importance of sports, the bishop of Porto said that "while it's sad to see an adult cry, it's even more painful when it's a child… I send a special greeting to your mother, your grandparents, and other family members. I am with you. Jesus is also with you."
Liverpool F.C.'s tribute to Diogo Jota
In addition to retiring Diogo Jota's number 20 jersey, the Liverpool F.C. chartered a plane to accommodate those members who wished to travel to the funeral in Portugal.
This was confirmed by the Portuguese newspaper Record. Liverpool will keep Diogo Jota's contract in force and will pay his salary and all bonuses to his family.
The club decided to pay out the remaining two years of Diogo Jota's contract, meaning his widow, Rute Cardoso—whom he had married in the Church just 11 days before his death—and his three young children will receive the corresponding sum of more than €17 million ($19.9M)
English journalist Tom Harrington also said on X that Liverpool will establish a fund for the children of Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso, specifically for their education.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
