Diogo Jota's family, friends and fellow Liverpool players gathered for the footballer's funeral in Portugal following his death in a car crash in Spain. The father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, died alongside his brother Andre Silva after their Lamborghini burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Jota's family arrived at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Saturday morning. They were followed by Reds manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk and team-mates including Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez.
International stars pay respects
Also attending the funeral for the Portuguese international were his national team-mates Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, and Joao Felix and Renato Veiga of Chelsea. Nelson Semedo from Wolves, Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves were also present, along with former Liverpool player Fabinho.
Porto FC president Andre Villas-Boas and Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez attended the service. Some of the players carried wreaths shaped like football shirts as they arrived at the church.
Wake draws crowds of mourners
Family and friends had gathered for the brothers' wake on Friday, with a queue forming outside the Portuguese chapel. The brothers' parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in Gondomar, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also present.
People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, with the largest showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool FC shirt and making a heart sign with his hands. Jota's agent was also among those paying their respects at the wake.
Liverpool postpones pre-season return
Liverpool Football Club postponed the return of their players for pre-season following Jota's death. Players past and present paid tribute to him and his brother on social media, whilst a sea of floral tributes was left outside Anfield.
Many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs visited to pay their respects. Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support.
Fatal crash under investigation
Jota and Silva were found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking.
A source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed "a possible speeding incident" was being looked at. Pictures of the aftermath showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle, with no other vehicles said to have been involved in the incident.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
