Members of the public had to be shut out of the graveyard after Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were laid to rest on Saturday morning. The brothers were buried at a church in Gondomar, near Porto, in Portugal after their tragic deaths in a car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Dozens of figures from the footballing world attended the emotional service at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar catholic church. Jota's Liverpool team-mates, including Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, were in attendance, along with many Portugal internationals.
The funeral followed a private wake on Friday, which was attended by Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, who he married last month, and the player's family. Although hugely emotional, the funeral passed respectfully, before problems arose afterwards.
Shortly after the burial of Jota and his brother Andre ended, the graveyard was reopened up to the public. But officials closed it again soon afterwards after "disrespectful" selfie-seekers began entering and taking photos of themselves with the graves.
Hundreds of football fans turned out on the streets in Gondomar to watch proceedings from near the church. The vast majority did so respectfully, but once the graveyard was opened to the public, there were issues that the police had to deal with.
Jota and his brother died after the Lamborghini they were travelling in spun off the road in north west Spain and caught fire in the early hours of Thursday morning. Their deaths have been followed by an outpouring of grief from the footballing world and the funeral was extremely emotional.
Jota's team-mate at Wolves and Portugal, Ruben Neves, flew in from the United States, where he had been playing at the Club World Cup hours earlier, to help carry his coffin.
Police monitor the crowd close to the burial site of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre
The funeral service was led by Bishop of Porto Dom Manuel Linda. In a heartfelt message to Jota's three children, who did not attend the service, the Bishop told the children he had a message for them, which included him explaining why so many people, including VIPs, had attended the one hour service.
His voice trembling with emotion, he told them he would pray "a lot" for them and told the congregation, including Jota's wife Rute: "If it is difficult to see an adult cry, it is even more difficult to see a child cry".
He added: "The ones who suffer a lot are your mother and your grandparents. Seeing the mortal remains of a child must be a greater torment, but when there are two urns there are no words."
Officials were forced to close the grave site shortly after the funeral
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva attended the service and said: "I can't even imagine the pain felt by the family, by Rute, by the children, by the parents. For André and Jota. I must say a little about Jota, who was a great friend to all of us.
"His career, although not the most important, speaks for itself. He didn't train at any of the big clubs and took the most difficult paths. His passion, will and determination allowed him to succeed in life and have a brilliant career.
"More important than that, as a person... the memories that remain... Jota will always be in our hearts. He will always be present at every breakfast, lunch, dinner, national team gathering, PlayStation or card game."
Ruben Neves was one of the pallbearers at Diogo Jota's funeral on SaturdayRuben Neves was amongst the many mourners in Gondomar on Saturday morning for the funeral of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, following their tragic deaths.Jota, 28, and Andre, 26, were killed in a car accident on Thursday morning, sparking an outpouring of grief from Portugal, Jota's team-mates and the wider footbal...

Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson and manager Arne Slot arrived alongside ex-Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson and James Milner in the early hours of Saturday.Current and former Liverpool players arrive in Portugal for the star's funeralDarwin Nunez is the first Liverpool player at Diogo Jota's wakeLiverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota died in a car crash in Spain on ThursdayCurtis Jones, Alexis Mac...

The Reds' boss said he wished he had the words "but know I do not" to pay tribute after the star's death in a car crash early yesterday.Liverpool fans leave tributes for deceased star Diogo JotaLiverpool manager Arne Slot said the club will sing tragic Diogo Jota's song and vowed the unique player will never be forgottenFormer Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was heartbroken by the death of ...

The Reds striker, 28, and his 25-year-old footballer brother Andre Silva were buried just two days after their tragic deaths in a car crash.Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson led mourners with two touching wreathes emblazoned with Diogo's number 20 and Andre's number 30Liverpool manager Arne Slot bows his head as he leaves the serviceJordan Henderson (L), James Milner (R) and Alexis Mac Allister (...

FORMER Arsenal star Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape against two women.The Ghanaian international is also accused of sexually assaulting a third woman.Thomas Partey has been charged with rapePartey, 32, allegedly carried out the offences between 2021 and 2022, the Met Police confirmed.He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.It comes as Partey's con...

Diogo Jota's grieving family have arrived at the chapel for a private wake after the Liverpool star was tragically killed in a road traffic accident on ThursdayDiogo Jota's wake is scheduled for FridayDiogo Jota’s grieving wife has arrived at the chapel where the Liverpool star’s coffin has been taken for a private wake ahead of tomorrow’s funeral.Rute Cardoso, who only married t...

Diogo Jota leaves behind a beautiful young familySitting in matching onesies, the Jota family smiles out from their Christmas photoshoot, two proud parents with their three young children and trio of beagles.Just 27 weeks after the photograph was shared on Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota's Instagram page, he would be dead. Early reports suggest the Portuguese, who had between the taking ...

Grace Hayden, 22, hails from Australia and is one of the top cricket pundits around.Grace Hayden enjoyed some fun in the sun as she went on holiday to ItalyThe glam cricket commentator wore a red bikiniGrace is the daughter of Australian cricket icon Matthew HaydenHer dad is none other than legendary batsman Matthew Hayden.And she's made a name for herself presenting Star Sports' coverage of the I...

Alisha Lehmann opened up on her personal life as she sent a ‘simple’ love message following a romance with a female Switzerland team-mate and Douglas LuizAlisha Lehmann has opened up on her love life and offered a ‘simple’ message about romance.The Swiss sensation will be playing on home soil as Switzerland host Euro 2025, and get their campaign underway on Wednesday night....

RUTHLESS Arsenal target Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly dumped his model girlfriend in an effort to “sever all ties” to Portugal.The Sporting Lisbon superstar, 27, is wanted by the Gunners after scoring 97 goals in just two seasons.Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly dumped his model girlfriend Ines AguiarGyokeres is desperate to quit his club for the Premier League, with Manchester United a...



- 1 Liverpool willing to make swap proposal to Palace for Guehi
- 2 Inside jet-setting England star Dominic Solanke's honeymoon with wife Erica
- 3 Five players ask to leave Man Utd including Rashford, Antony, Garnacho and Sancho
- 4 Sporting CP president Varandas: Gyokeres knows price he can leave for
- 5 Diogo Jota's wife arrives at chapel where tragic star's coffin is taken
- 6 Frustrated Arsenal turn to Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Coleen Rooney eclipses husband Wayne as main breadwinner
- 9 Diogo Jota's family life with beautiful wife, cheeky sons, baby girl and dogs
- 10 Ex-Chelsea wonderkid RETIRES at age of 28 just three years after Stamford Bridge exit as injuries put end to playing career