Diogo Jota funeral latest: Liverpool’s Van Dijk and Arne Slot among stars arriving to pay tribute to footballer | OneFootball

Huge scale of Liverpool tributes to Jota at Anfield in drone footage

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is among a number of Liverpool stars who have arrived at Diogo Jota’s funeral, in sombre scenes in his hometown of Gondomar near Porto.

Van Dijk and Andy Robertson arrived with football shirt-shaped wreaths with Jota’s Number 20 on the back. They were followed by manager Arne Slot and Joe Gomez, heads bowed as they walked up to the church.

Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, who he married last month, arrived earlier alongside other members of the family, as they mourn the loss of Jota and his brother Andre Silva.

Former teammates including Portugal and Manchester City stars Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva, and Chelsea player Joao Felix, have also been pictured.

The ceremony at the Capela da Ressurreicao on Friday will begin at 10am and follows a private and public wake held for the Liverpool player on Friday evening, attended by past and present teammates.

The footballer had been travelling in a Lamborghini with his brother when the car veered off the road and burst into flames following what police suspect was a tyre blowout while overtaking.

They were found dead on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday, just 11 days after Jota, a father of three, married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso.

Former teammates pictured carrying coffin at service

Former teammates have been pictured carrying a coffin during the funeral service of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.

It is unclear who is inside the coffin.

Former teammates carry the coffin during the funerals of Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the Mother Church of Gondomar, on the outskirts of Porto (AFP via Getty Images)

Alex Croft5 July 2025 10:14

Priest who married Diogo and his wife to be part of service

The priest who married Diogo Jota with his wife Rute Cardoso will play a role in the ceremony, Sky News is reporting.

This was a request of Rute, it added.

The pair married just weeks ago in the same church where the funeral is now being held.

Alex Croft5 July 2025 10:10

More high-profile arrivals pictured

Liverpool's Uruguayan striker #09 Darwin Nunez arrives (AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea and Portugal player Joao Felix (PA Wire)

Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo (PA Wire)

Alex Croft5 July 2025 10:04

Reminder: What are the plans for the funeral?

A reminder that the funeral is due to begin at 10am local time (10am UK time).

Dozens of footballing stars, legends, coaches, and other figures, from agents to media figures, have all arrived in the small city of Gondomar to pay their respects.

They cut solemn figures, appearing emotional as they walk up to the Capela da Ressurreicao.

Media figures have been told they cannot church for the funeral, but the sound from inside will be broadcast to those outside.

Alex Croft5 July 2025 09:56

Liverpool FC players and coaches arrive carrying wreaths

Liverpool club captain Virgil van Dijk has been pictured among the Liverpool players and coaches to arrive at the funeral.

Van Dijk and left-back Andy Robertson werecarrying football shirt-shaped wreaths with Jota’s Number 20 on the back.

Manager Arne Slot has also arrived at the funeral, walking alongside centre-back Joe Gomez.

Some more Liverpool stars have been seen. Stay with us as we bring the latest pictures to you.

Liverpool's Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson arrive at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva being held at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in the town of Gondomar near Porto (PA Wire)

Liverpool's Joe Gomez and Arne Slot arrive (PA Wire)

Alex Croft5 July 2025 09:46

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara arrive

Manchester City and Portugal player Bernardo Silva arrives at the funeral of Diogo Jota (PA Wire)

Thiago Alcantara, former football player and his Wife Julia Vigas arrive with Fabinho (Getty Images)

Alex Croft5 July 2025 09:39

Remembering Diogo Jota's popular chant

The Liverpool chant for Diogo Jota was a clear fan favourite.

It quickly became one of the most popular chants after taking off in the away end in the Emirates in 2022 after Jota had scored two goals against Arsenal, while he was on scintillating form for his club.

And there is no doubt that it will be belted full volume from the Kop end throughout next season as Liverpool fans pay tribute to their former star.

To the tune of Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Liverpool fans sung:

"Oh, he wears the No 20 / He will take us to victory / And when he’s running down the left wing / He’ll cut inside and score for LFC / He’s a lad from Portugal / Better than Figo don’t you know / Oh, his name is Diogo!"

Alex Croft5 July 2025 09:30

Teammates and coaches begin arriving at funeral service

We’re getting more pictures of Diogo Jota’s teammates and coaches arriving at the funeral, including Manchester City and Portugal star Ruben Dias.

Roberto Martinez, the current coach of the national team, has also arrived, as has Jota’s Portugal teammate Nelson Semedo, and Portuguese football legend Ricardo Carvalho.

Manchester City's football player Ruben Dias, Jota's national teammate, arrives at the site of the service (AFP via Getty Images)

Portugal's national football team coach Spanish Roberto Martinez (AFP via Getty Images)

Nelson Semedo, football player for Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team (Getty Images)

Ricardo Carvalho, Former Football Player and Assistant Coach of the Portugal National Team, (Right) arrives at a funeral held for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva (Getty Images)

Alex Croft5 July 2025 09:22

Jota's family requests privacy for funeral service

Reporters outside the outside the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar have been asked for privacy during the funeral service of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre.

The family wants the ceremony to be private, members of the media were told in a briefing according to a BBC reporter.

Yesterday, when hundreds arrived in Gondomar to pay their respects during the wake, was too intense, reporters were told.

Nobody will be permitted into the church, but the sound of the service will be played outside, where an area has been set up for people to gather.

Alex Croft5 July 2025 09:13

Liverpool open books of condolences

Liverpool FC has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.

Supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message.

Alex Croft