Diogo Jota and André Silva's funeral held in Portugal

[ad_1] Sofia Ferreira Santos BBC Information

Reporting fromGondomar, Portugal <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/8f23/live/6033aeb0-599e-11f0-a302-cda0d25ee1d5.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk (C) and Andy Robertson (R) carry floral tributes " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Reuters Footballers Diogo Jota and André Silva have been honoured by their household, associates and teammates at a joint funeral in Portugal.

Jota, 28, was laid to relaxation alongside his brother, Silva, 25, after they died in a automotive crash on Thursday.

Tons of of locals and supporters gathered on the Igreja Matriz in Gondomar, the place the brothers are from, on Saturday.

The funeral additionally introduced collectively large names from throughout soccer, together with Jota's teammates Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who had been seen carrying floral tributes into the church forward of the ceremony.

The service was held in Gondomar, a small Portuguese metropolis close to Porto, that has been left reeling after the brothers died.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/ff90/live/9b284310-599d-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="PA Media File photo dated 21/08/21 of Diogo Jota celebrating a goal at Anfield" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> PA Media As a celebrated striker for Liverpool, Jota was identified for his expertise as a "pure finisher"

Gamers from Liverpool FC, who solely three months in the past had been celebrating their Premier League win, arrived on the funeral collectively.

Watching them stroll in step with one another, nearly as they do when strolling onto the pitch, was an emotional expertise.

There was a robust feeling of neighborhood, but in addition a shared sombreness.

Many had been visibly upset, with supporters on the opposite aspect of the barrier applauding the gamers. One lady within the crowd shouted in the direction of them as they walked in: "Força!" - energy.

Household and shut associates walked into the church in full silence, lots of them with their heads bowed down because the church bell rung.

One particular person within the procession held up an indication with Silva's {photograph}, which learn: "Para sempre um de nós." (Eternally one in every of us.)

A lot was the brothers' influence on soccer and their area people that a few of the visitors needed to watch the ceremony from exterior of the church, typically hugging and comforting each other.

Locals and soccer followers within the crowd watched silently for many of the service, which went on for about an hour.

Many wore soccer shirts and carried merchandise from the completely different groups throughout Portugal and overseas the place Jota and Silva, who performed for native membership Penafiel, spent a while in.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/871c/live/15aa63a0-5996-11f0-960d-e9f1088a89fe.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC A bald man standing in front of a white church" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC Antônio says the brothers' household is a humble, good native household

One in all these followers was Antônio Moreira, who set off early within the morning to be one of many first exterior the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar the place the funeral happened.

"I do know I will not have the ability to go inside, however I needed to pay my respects," he informed me from the barrier exterior the church.

Antônio later confirmed me his telephone case - somewhat previous, he mentioned - with the symbol of FC Porto.

Antônio recalled fond recollections of Jota on the sphere, as he spent a 12 months taking part in for the native membership, however added that the brothers had been a lot greater than soccer stars.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/325b/live/e110c490-599f-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Andre Silva playing for FC Penafiel " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Getty Photographs André Silva performed for FC Penafiel in Portugal

"They had been good folks, from a humble household, folks like us."

This has hit him particularly exhausting, he mentioned, as 40 years in the past his household went by means of an analogous tragedy. His aunt, uncle and younger cousin died in a automotive accident three days earlier than Christmas, leaving his different cousin behind.

Jota and Silva might not have been his direct household, he mentioned, however their deaths felt private.

"That is what I believe: shedding your dad and mom is difficult, actually exhausting. However shedding your kids is unimaginable," he added.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e8ee/live/60666630-5998-11f0-9074-8989d8c97d87.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC A red Liverpool shirt with the number 20, name 'Diogo J.' and a small autograph that reads: Um abraço para o Fábio" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC One fan wore a Liverpool shirt, marked with Jota's autograph

Jota's journey as a participant impressed many individuals right here in Gondomar, soccer fan Fábio Silva informed me.

He has stored up with the brothers since they began within the native golf equipment - and mentioned he needed to be right here for his or her ultimate journey.

"Regardless of the influence they'd on soccer, and even financially, they by no means let it present," he informed me, including the household are well-loved within the city.

"The neighborhood is unhappy, devastated," he mentioned.

Having spent a while with them through the years, Fábio mentioned there was just one purpose he was right here: "Respect for the brothers, the household."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9a51/live/f84ee100-599a-11f0-b5c5-012c5796682d.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC Rafaela and Fábio standing next to each other in front of a white church" class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/> Sofia Ferreira Santos/BBC Rafaela and Fábio mentioned it was their obligation as soccer followers and Portuguese locals to be on the brothers' funeral

Avid soccer followers Fábio and Rafaela travelled from the close by city Lordelo to honour Jota and Silva.

Sporting Jota's shirt, Fábio mentioned it was vital to him to be right here "for Jota's ultimate day". Each mentioned it meant loads to the neighborhood that so many individuals confirmed as much as pay their respects.

They watched the ceremony from exterior the church, like a whole bunch of different followers - which Fábio mentioned was exhausting. Nodding, Rafaela agreed, however mentioned it was additionally stunning.