The global football community remains in deep sorrow following the tragic passing of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva. The siblings died in a fatal car crash that occurred on Thursday in the Zamora region of Spain, when their Lamborghini lost control and ignited upon impact. Diogo Jota, aged 28, and André Silva, 25, were laid to rest on Saturday in Jota’s hometown of Gondomar, Portugal. A vigil was held on Friday at the Chapel of Resurrection, preceding the funeral service at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.

Reports indicate that Diogo Jota was traveling to England to catch a ferry from Santander, Spain, having been advised by his doctors to avoid flying due to a recent lung surgery. Doctor Miguel Goncalves, who had been assisting Jota with his recovery, praised him as an “unparalleled professional” who demonstrated an “extraordinary recovery” and was eagerly anticipating the upcoming season. Just 11 days before the tragic accident, Jota had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children.

The devastating news compelled Liverpool Football Club to revise its pre-season schedule. The club had initially planned for players to return to their AXA training centre for pre-season on Friday, July 4, 2025, with all players expected back by Monday, July 7. However, in light of Jota’s death, the resumption was postponed, and the club reportedly shifted the return date to Tuesday, July 8, 2025, or opted for a phased return for players starting Monday. A social media post advertising their final pre-season game against Athletic Bilbao on August 4 was promptly taken down.

Tributes flowed in from across the football world. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah conveyed his profound sadness, stating that it would be “extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we go back,” and extended his deepest sympathies to Jota’s wife, children, and parents. Jose Mourinho, manager of Fernabahce, reflected on Jota's resilient character, remarking that “nothing was easy for him, he had to fight a lot,” and underscored the immense sorrow for the family, describing it as