The Liverpool star’s loved ones and former teammates including Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister are attending the funeral for the footballer and his brother in Portugal.
BREAKING: Diogo Jota’s Wife Placed a Tiny Red Heart into His Pocket Before Final Goodbye — Fans Spot It in the Last Photo
Gondomar, Portugal — July 7, 2025 — The funeral of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 5, 2025, at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar was a heart-wrenching farewell that drew global attention. Amid the sea of grief, a tender and deeply personal moment stood out: Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, was seen placing a tiny red heart into her husband’s pocket just before his coffin was closed, a gesture captured in a poignant photograph that has since captivated fans worldwide. Spotted by eagle-eyed mourners and shared widely on X, the image of the red heart has become a powerful symbol of Rute’s enduring love for Jota, amplifying the tragedy of their loss just 11 days after their wedding. This moment, reported by outlets like the New York Post, underscores the profound bond between the couple, whose love story was cut short in a devastating car crash.
The Tragic Crash on the A-52
The accident that claimed the lives of Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain. The brothers were traveling in a Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, as Jota had been advised against flying due to recent lung surgery, likely related to a prior pneumothorax. Black box data revealed the car was moving at 213km/h (132mph) three seconds before a tire blowout caused it to veer off the road, flip, and burst into flames. Four seconds after the blowout, Jota’s final words, “Can’t breathe,” were recorded, indicating he was conscious as the fire engulfed the vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported sparks 15 meters before the crash, suggesting a possible road defect, such as a collapsed road edge or deformed asphalt, may have triggered the blowout.
The fire’s intensity left the vehicle unrecognizable, requiring DNA tests and documents to confirm the brothers’ identities. Rute Cardoso faced the harrowing task of identifying Jota’s body at the Zamora Institute of Forensic Medicine, where she was seen sobbing, supported by her sister and other relatives. Among the recovered items was Jota’s watch, still ticking, which Rute clutched as she left the morgue, a detail that added a surreal layer to the tragedy.
The Funeral: A Heartfelt Farewell
The joint funeral for Jota and Silva at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the same church where Jota and Rute married on June 22, 2025, was attended by hundreds, including Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, and former teammates Jordan Henderson and James Milner. Portugal stars Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and João Cancelo were also present, alongside Porto president André Villas-Boas and Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. The service, presided over by Bishop Manuel Linda, was filled with emotional tributes, with floral wreaths shaped like jerseys—Jota’s number 20 carried by van Dijk and Silva’s number 30 by Robertson—symbolizing their legacies.
Rute, dressed in white as she was on her wedding day, walked behind Jota’s coffin, supported by her sister and Rúben Neves, who helped carry the casket after flying in from a Club World Cup match. As the coffins were prepared for burial, Rute was seen leaning over Jota’s, her face etched with grief. In a fleeting moment captured by photographers, she slipped a tiny red heart—believed to be a small fabric or paper token—into his pocket, a final gesture of love before the coffin was closed. The image, published by outlets like the New York Post, spread rapidly online, with fans on X noting the heart’s resemblance to the one Jota often formed with his hands after scoring for Liverpool. One user wrote, “Rute’s red heart in Diogo’s pocket is the most heartbreaking goodbye—his love lives on.”
The Red Heart: A Symbol of Eternal Love
The tiny red heart, spotted in the last photo of Jota’s open coffin, has sparked an outpouring of emotion. While its exact significance remains private, sources close to the family suggest it may be linked to the couple’s wedding, where red heart motifs were reportedly part of the decor, symbolizing their love. Rute’s Instagram posts from the wedding, captioned “My dream came true 🤍,” included Jota’s reply, “But I’m the lucky one 😍,” and featured heart emojis that echoed the gesture. The heart in Jota’s pocket, placed just before his final goodbye, is seen as Rute’s way of ensuring their bond endures, a silent promise mirroring the seven-word vow she whispered at the funeral: “I will keep it right…”
The moment was particularly poignant given the couple’s history. Jota and Rute, high school sweethearts since 2012, built a life together through his career at Paços de Ferreira, Atlético Madrid, Porto, Wolverhampton, and Liverpool, where he joined in 2020 for £41 million. They had three children—Dinis, 4, Duarte, 2, and Mafalda, born in 2024. Their June 22 wedding was a celebration of their 13-year journey, with Ave Maria, performed by Alexandra Quinta e Costa at both the wedding and funeral, linking their happiest and darkest moments.
The Football Community’s Grief
Jota’s death, alongside his brother’s, has united the football world in mourning. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, contributing to their 2024/25 Premier League title, FA Cup (2022), and League Cups (2022, 2024). Internationally, he earned 49 caps for Portugal, winning the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025. Tributes poured in from teammates, with Mo Salah writing, “It’s extremely difficult to accept Diogo won’t be there,” and Virgil van Dijk vowing, “Your legacy will live on.” Cristiano Ronaldo posted on X, “Serás para sempre recordado. Descansa em paz, Diogo Jota,” while Portugal’s women’s team held a minute’s silence at their Euro 2025 match.
Fans gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers and a banner reading “Diogo lives forever.” Liverpool postponed pre-season activities, and Oasis dedicated “Live Forever” to Jota at their Cardiff concert. Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared a day of mourning in Gondomar, praising Jota’s humility.
Investigation and Road Safety Concerns
The Spanish Civil Guard is investigating the crash, focusing on the tire blowout and potential road defects. The A-52’s poor condition, described on X as a “goat track” with potholes, has fueled calls for improved maintenance, with nearly 15,000 speeding fines issued in 2020. Sparks seen before the crash suggest a collapsed road edge or asphalt deformation may have contributed. The final police report will clarify these factors.
A Love That Transcends Loss
Rute’s act of placing the tiny red heart in Jota’s pocket has become an enduring image of love and loss. As she followed his coffin, supported by her sister and Neves, she also carried his ticking watch and whispered a private vow, cementing her unbreakable bond with Jota. The football community, led by voices like Roberto Martinez, who said, “We are Portugal, and their spirit will be with us forever,” has vowed to support Rute and her children. The red heart, spotted by fans in the final photo, symbolizes a love that persists beyond death, ensuring Jota’s memory lives on in Rute’s heart and the hearts of millions.
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We’re pausing our live coverage
We’ve been bringing you updates from the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, which concluded early this afternoon.
Along with the brothers’ loved ones, much of Liverpool’s current squad attended, including the likes of captain Virgil Van Dijk, veteran Andrew Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister.
Some of the Premier League club’s former players like English duo Jordan Henderson and James Milner were also in Portugal to pay their respects, as was current manager Arne Slot.
Some of Jota’s international teammates like Bruno Fernandes, Bernando and Silva Joao Cancelo were also at the church.
Portugal’s international head coach Roberto Martinez spoke to the media after the service, saying the brothers “will be with us forever” in spirit and that the football community was together in its grief.
The funeral, during which floods of people stood outside of the church, came after the shock deaths of the brothers in a car accident in Spain on Thursday.
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Watch: How Diogo Jota’s funeral happened
The funeral of Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva came just a fortnight after he married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso.
Weeks before that, Jota joined his teammates to lift the Premier League title.
The tragic ceremony in the brothers’ hometown of Gondomar in Portugal would have been unthinkable to their families, friends and football colleagues then.
But they showed up in numbers this morning to mourn them after they died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday.
Sky News sports correspondent Rob Harris reflects on the day in the video below.
In pictures: Grieving players leave Jota’s funeral
Liverpool and Portuguese international players turned out to Diogo Jota’s funeral in numbers to pay respect to their beloved teammate.
It came after the forward, 28, died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday, along with his younger brother Andre Silva.
Here are pictures of some of the stars walking out after the funeral in Jota’s hometown of Gondomar.
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Roberto Martinez: The brothers’ spirits will be with us forever
Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez has just shared some powerful words outside the church where the brothers’ funeral took place.
He began by saying the days since their deaths had been “really, really sad,” but added that today showed that “we are a very large, close family”.
He added it was “essential” for Portugal to show that “we are together” and that the brothers’ spirits “will be with us forever”.
“So thank you very much for your messages and for your support and everything that we receive [from] all over the world,” he said.
“Today we are all one football family,” he concluded.
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Players start to leave after funeral ends
Liverpool players have been seen leaving the church grounds after the funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva ended.
Much of the current squad made the trip to Portugal, as did some former players like Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
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Watch: Liverpool players mourn with Jota’s loved ones
The funeral of Liverpool star Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in their Portuguese hometown of Gondomar has now concluded.
It came after the footballers’ tragic deaths on Thursday in a car accident in Spain.
Much of the current Liverpool team, including captain Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister, was joined by former teammates Jordan Henderson and James Milner, as well as boss Arne Slot.
You can watch the moment the players arrived, as well as part of the procession, in the video below.
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Attendees leave church for the cemetery after service concludes
The attendees have now come out of the church following the service, and the coffins have been taken to the cemetery in procession.
The service was private, but the words spoken by the Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, were broadcast to those standing outside the church.
He said that while attendees “did not want to be here,” they came “by faith” and “in solidarity with Diogo and Andre’s family”.
Later, he addressed Jota’s children, who were not at the service, saying he was praying for them specifically, as well as their mother and grandparents.
“There are no words, but there are feelings,” he said, adding: “We also suffer a lot and we are with you emotionally.”
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In pictures: Crowd watches as procession carries brothers to church
Loved ones, Liverpool stars, Portuguese international teammates, coaches and respected ex-players are at the funeral for brothers Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
They died at the ages of 28 and 25 respectively on Thursday after a car crash in Spain.
While the funeral attendees are gathered inside the church for a private service, floods of people are outside to show their support.
Here are some of the latest photos from the small Portuguese town of Gondomar, where the funeral is taking place.
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Watch: Brothers’ coffins carried to the church in procession
All of the attendees for Diogo Jota and his brother Andrew Silva’s funeral are currently in the church for the service.
In the meantime, here is footage of the procession which took places moments ago.
Liverpool stars, Portuguese international players and a number of coaches joined the brothers’ loved ones as the coffins were carried to the private service.
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Crowds gathered as family and players walk in procession
There has been a huge crowd watching on outside the church where Jota and his brother Andre’s funeral is taking place.
They have been showing support for the brothers’ loved ones, teammates and coaches who have been walking in procession.
Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk has been carrying a floral tribute with Jota’s number 20, while Andrew Robertson has been carrying one with the number 30 for Andre Silva.
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Liverpool and Portugal players attend Jota’s funeral
Both Jota’s Liverpool and international teammates have been seen at the funeral in Portugal.
The funeral is for both Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva, who were killed in a car crash in Spain on Thursday.
Among the Liverpool teammates are club captain Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo.
Former team-mates Jordan Henderson and James Milner have also attended, as has manager Arne Slot.
Some of Jota’s international teammates include Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Manchester City’s Bernando Silva and Chelsea’s Joao Felix.
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Portugal head coach arrives for the funeral
Other attendees outside of Jota and Andre Silva’s families have started to arrive now, and among them is Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez.
Jota was a staple in Martinez’s international squad, featuring most recently as a substitute in Portugal’s 2-2 draw with Spain in the Nations League last month.
There is no sign of the Liverpool players outside the church just yet, but as we have been reporting, many of Jota’s teammates from Anfield arrived in Portugal last night.
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Fans continue to visit Jota vigil in Liverpool
While guests begin arriving for the funeral in Portugal, fans are continuing to pay their respects to Jota outside Anfield Stadium.
The vigil was set up yesterday in memory of the forward, who joined the club in 2020.
Former captain Jordan Henderson, who is now in the Portuguese town of Gondomar for the funeral, visited the Liverpool vigil yesterday, where he placed a floral tribute.
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Liverpool stars in Portugal to pay respects
Several Liverpool FC players have been seen in Portugal ahead of the funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Club captain Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister and former teammates Jordan Henderson and James Milner are among those gathered in the small Portuguese town of Gondomar, as is manager Arne Slot.
They are expected to join the grieving family and hundreds of residents of Gondomar, a small town in northern Portugal where Jota grew up, for the funeral at the Igreja Matriz church from 10am.
Some players had been due back at the side’s training facilities to begin the preliminaries of pre-season testing yesterday, but the phased return from the summer holiday was postponed while those at the club come to terms with Jota’s death.
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In pictures: Jota’s wife arrives ahead of funeral
Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso and other members of his family have arrived at the church where the brothers’ funeral is taking place this morning.
The footballers’ funeral, which is set to start at 10am UK time, is expected to attract large crowds in the small Portuguese town of Gondomar, though the ceremony itself is private.
Several Liverpool players and manager Arne Slot are also set to attend.
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Good morning
Welcome to today’s live coverage following the death of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash in Spain.
A funeral for the pair is due to take place in their hometown of Gondomar, in northern Portugal, from 10am UK time.
First, let’s recap on what we know about the tragic accident in the early hours of Thursday and the key events since.
The crash happened in Zamora, northwestern Spain, at around 12.30am local time on Thursday when the Lamborghini Lamborghini Huracan the pair were travelling in veered off the road;
The Spanish authorities said their car left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle;
A Spanish government source told the PA news agency the crash was being investigated as a “possible speeding incident”;
Investigators reportedly fear the probe could be prolonged because “the burned surface has eliminated many of the clues that could indicate the cause of the accident”.
The crash took place just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to his long-term partner Rute Cordoso, with whom he had three children;
Liverpool FC say they are “devastated” by Jota’s “tragic passing”, while the Portuguese national team says the country is “completely devastated”;
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said “I wish I had the words but I know I do not” and insisted Jota “will never be forgotten”;
Former manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “heartbroken” by the news, adding “there must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it”;
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool’s captain, called Jota a “champion forever” and vowed to “always be there” for his family;
Jota’s Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo wrote: “It doesn’t make sense”, and said – “just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married”;
A wake was held for the brothers in their Portuguese hometown yesterday, while people flocked to Anfield throughout the day to pay their respects.
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We’re pausing our live coverage
We will be resuming our updates tomorrow, when the funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva takes place.
Here’s a recap of what’s happened today…
Family mourns alongside fans at wake
Jota and Silva’s wake took place at a church in their hometown of Gondomar this afternoon.
The wake was initially private and attended by the brothers’ families, including Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso, who he married less than two weeks before his death.
Staff from Liverpool FC, and former teammates of both Jota and Silva, were also seen arriving.
The doors of the chapel were later opened to members of the public, who queued around the square to say their final goodbyes.
Funeral details announced
The brothers’ funeral is scheduled for 9am tomorrow, Gondomar’s mayor’s office said.
Some Liverpool players and staff are expected to attend.
More tributes pour in
Liverpool forward Mo Salah and ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho were among those who today shared moving tributes to Jota and Silva.
At Anfield, former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was seen wiping away tears as he placed a floral tribute outside the stadium.
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The main emotion was disbelief as hundreds said a final goodbye
By Tyrone Francis, sports producer in Gondomar
A steady flow of hundreds, possibly a thousand, people queued patiently in over 30-degree heat to pay their respects at the Capela da Ressurreicao.
The small, unassuming white building, symbolic of this close-knit community, saw famous figures and members of the public alike say a final goodbye to Diogo Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva.
Their wooden coffins were positioned a metre apart, side-by-side in the centre of a dimly-lit square room.
The hall had three walls lined with pews, full with people, reflecting on the lives of the two footballers, aged just 28 and 25.
Quiet sobs and the movement of single sheets of paper being used as fans to keep cool were the only noises audible in the room.
Emotions were sombre and visitors wiped the tears that trickled down their cheeks.
But the main emotion was one of disbelief that two skilful footballers – with their whole careers ahead of them – are gone way too early.
The caskets, surrounded by wreaths and draped in white roses, were the central focus of everyone’s attention.
No one cared who else was in the room, people cried, people reflected and people prayed with their heads bowed down.
Footballers Bernardo Silva, Fabinho and Thiago Alcântara were in the room at the time.
But the most poignant image will be that of Diogo Jota’s wife, who sat on the floor in between the two coffins, a place she had been since arriving in the early hours of the morning.
The queues continued outside where two books of condolence had been set up for mourners to pen their tributes.
As bells at the neighbouring church, where tomorrow’s funeral service will be held, ring on the hour, every hour, this community remembers two talents, the humble guys who represented them on the grass pitch of the world’s biggest stage.
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Mourinho reflects on Jota’s career
Jose Mourinho, who shared an agent with Jota, is the latest figure from the footballing world to pay tribute to the Liverpool star.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “Nothing was easy for him, he had to fight to arrive where he arrived.
“He was not chasing protagonism, protagonism found him because of his talent.”
The Portuguese manager, who was speaking at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, added: “When people leave this world, normally we all say ‘such a nice guy’. Diogo was really a nice guy.”
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Mourners bring flowers to public wake
A long line of mourners formed outside the Portuguese chapel where the wake took place.
Initially held in private for family, it later opened up to the public, with hundreds queuing around the 17th-century church.
Many people brought flowers and some wore Liverpool tops.
