Tears as Diogo Jota, Brother’s Bodies Arrive Portugal for Burial

A wave of grief swept through the town of Gondomar in northern Portugal as the bodies of football star Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Teixeira da Silva, arrived ahead of their final farewell.

Family members, close friends, and devastated fans gathered outside the Church of São Cosme in Gondomar, where a quiet vigil was held in their honor. Emotions ran high as mourners lit candles and laid flowers near the church entrance, with many visibly shaken by the shocking loss of the beloved footballer and his brother.

Jota, aged 28, and André reportedly died following a tragic car accident earlier in the week, cutting short the life of one of Portugal’s most promising footballers and his equally admired sibling. The brothers were returning from a private family event when the incident occurred, according to local sources.

The repatriation of the bodies from the scene of the tragedy to their hometown marked a moment of intense sorrow for the community. Many fans dressed in Liverpool and Portuguese national team jerseys paid tribute by chanting Jota’s name and holding up scarves bearing his image. Local youth football teams also turned out in their kits to honor the legacy of a man who had become a role model for aspiring players.

Liverpool FC, where Jota had played since 2020, expressed its continued support to the family. A club spokesperson confirmed that several teammates and staff would be present for the funeral service, scheduled for Saturday morning.

The Teixeira da Silva family has requested privacy during this difficult time, but acknowledged the outpouring of love from across the football world. Jota’s former clubs—Wolverhampton Wanderers, FC Porto, and Atlético Madrid—have also issued public condolences and tributes.

As the town prepares to lay the brothers to rest, the atmosphere remains heavy with mourning. What was once a community that celebrated Jota’s rise from local talent to international stardom, now unites in collective sorrow—mourning not only a national hero but also a cherished son of Gondomar.