Sofia Ferreira Santos
BBC News
Report from Gondmar, Portugal
Watch: Friends and family arrive at Diogo Jota and Andre Silva’s funeral
Soccer players Diogo Jota and Andre Silva have been recognized by their family, friends and teammates at their joint funeral in Portugal.
Jota, 28, was placed to rest with his brother Silva, 25, after his death in a car accident on Thursday.
Hundreds of locals and supporters gathered on Saturday at Igleja Matriz in Gondomar, the brothers’ hometown.
The funeral also compiled huge names from all over football, including Jota’s teammates Virgill Van Dik and Andy Robertson.
The service took place in Gondomar, a small Portuguese city near Porto, where the brothers remained entangled after their deaths.
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As a well-known Liverpool striker, Jota was known for his skills as a “natural finisher.”
The Liverpool FC players, who were celebrating their Premier League victory just three months ago, arrived at the funeral together.
It was an emotional experience to watch them walk alongside each other, just like they were walking on the pitch.
There was a strong sense of community, but there was also a shared sombreness.
Many were visibly upset, with supporters praising the players on the other side of the barrier. One woman in the crowd cried out at them as they walked: “Força!” – strength.
Family and close friends entered the church in complete silence.
One of the queue held up a sign with a photo of Silva. (One of us forever.)
The brothers’ football and their impact on the community was so great that some of their guests had to watch the ceremony from outside the church, often embracing each other and comforting them.
Locals and soccer fans in the crowd were quietly watching most of the service, which lasted about an hour.
Many wore football shirts and carried goods from various teams in Portugal and overseas where Jota and Silva, who played for local club Penafiel, spent some time.
Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC
Antonio says the brothers’ family is a humble and lovely local family
One of these fans was Antonio Moreira. He left early in the morning to become one of the first outside the Iglesia Matriz de Gondomar, where the funeral was held.
“I know I can’t go inside, but I wanted to pay my respects,” he told me through a barrier outside the church.
Antonio later said his phone case – a little old, with the coat of arms of FC Porto.
Antonio recalls Jota’s fond memories on the field as he played for a local club for a year, but added that the brothers are far more than the football star.
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Andre Silva played for FC Penafil in Portugal
“They were good people from humble families, people like us.”
He said this hit him particularly hard, as his family experienced a similar tragedy 40 years ago. His aunt, uncle and young cousin died in a car accident three days before Christmas, leaving behind another cousin.
Jota and Silva may not have been his immediate family, he said, but their deaths felt personal.
“This is what I think. Losing your parents is hard, it’s really hard. But I can’t imagine losing your child,” he added.
Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC
One fan was wearing a Liverpool shirt and Jota’s signature was marked
Jota’s journey as a player has inspired many people here in Gondoma, football fan Fabio Silva told me.
He has been catching up with his brothers ever since they started at a local club – and he says he has to be here for their final journey.
“In spite of the impact they had on football, and even financially, they never let it show,” he told me.
“The community is sad and devastated,” he said.
Fabio, who has spent many years with them, said there was only one reason he was here: “Respect for his brothers, family.”
Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC
Rafaela and Fabio said it was their duty for football fans and Portuguese locals to attend the funeral of their brothers
Fabio and Rafaela, avid soccer fans, traveled from the nearby town of Lordo to honor Jota and Silva.
Putting on Jota’s shirt, Fabio said it was important for him to be here “for Jota’s final day.” Both said it meant that so many people have come out to pay respect for the community.
They watched the ceremony from outside the church, like hundreds of other fans – Fabio said it was tough. Nodded, Rafaela agreed, but said it was beautiful too.
“This is an example you need to bring Max to life,” Rafaela said.
“You need to say everything you want to say and say it – tomorrow may be too late,” Fabio added.
Jota’s final goal for Liverpool will win the Merseyside Derby
