Jota and his brother Andre’s wake was held at Gondomar on Friday evening with a large presence of delegation.
A Liverpool delegation, former teammates, and members of the Gondomar community gathered on Friday night to pay their respects to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, whose wake was held at the Capela da Ressurreição in the northern Portuguese town.
According to Mirror.co.uk, the Capela da Ressurreição witnessed the presence of people from all walks of life as they paid their last respects to the Jota brothers.
Leading the Reds’ contingent were newly appointed sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards. Also present were Liverpool’s CEO Billy Hogan, Director of Medicine and Performance Jonathan Power, and Head of Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Lee Nobes.


Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcântara and ex-teammate Fabinho also travelled to Portugal to honour Jota, while Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot, a close friend and international teammate, joined mourners in Gondomar.
The quiet chapel, located not far from the family home where Jota and his younger brother grew up, was filled with tributes, including floral arrangements from clubs, friends, and family.
A community in mourning

Elsa Santos, a former primary school teacher to both Diogo and André, described the brothers as “special” and “disciplined” students. Reflecting on her time with the family two decades ago, she shared:
“I taught Diogo from the second to the fourth grade. He was seven when I met him. Always responsible, very studious, and excellent in both maths and football. The same can be said for André.
Their parents were deeply involved in their education. Joaquim and Isabel always showed commitment to giving them the best life they could. What has happened is heartbreaking. No parent should endure such pain.”
Jota’s roots and humble beginnings

Childhood friends and neighbours also gathered to pay tribute. Resident Raquel Bessa remembered the brothers playing on a small concrete pitch outside their modest apartment block.
“The ball was always there. Diogo and André were inseparable. One would take shots, the other would go in goal. Diogo was more reserved, André more outgoing. They used to play with my nieces. Everyone could tell early on that Diogo was special.”
Raquel added that Jota’s grandfather, who still lives nearby, had been “left speechless” by the tragedy.
Nottingham Forest striker Jota Silva, who had crossed paths with Diogo as both teammate and opponent, was seen laying flowers and speaking briefly with Jorge Mendes, the late forward’s agent.
“Football is in mourning”
Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proença was also present at the wake. Addressing reporters outside the chapel, he reflected on Jota’s impact on and off the pitch.
“This moment reminds us of the strength of football, and of Diogo’s place in it. The outpouring of support from across the country speaks to who he was. He represented the very best of Portuguese football. Today, the sport is in mourning.”
The funeral for Diogo Jota and André Silva is scheduled to take place at 10 am on Saturday at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, as earlier reported by Softfootball.
Softfootball also reported the tribute of Portuguese gaffer Jose Mourinho, who described Jota as a hard-working and humble player.
“When someone passes, people often say they were a good person. In Diogo’s case, that was true,” Mourinho said. “He was respectful, disciplined, and always committed to his work. I know this through our shared connections we had the same agent and through what I’ve heard from those at Liverpool.”