Diogo Jota’s funeral procession draws tearful crowds and heartfelt tributes in Gondomar after tragic accident that claimed him and his brother’s lives
The Diogo Jota’s funeral procession moved through the streets of Gondomar on Thursday night, drawing grief-stricken supporters who lined the roads outside the Capela de Ressurreicao.
The emotional scene reflected the profound impact of the tragic deaths of the Portugal international and his brother, Andre.
Reports indicate that mourners wept as the hearses carrying the Jota brothers arrived shortly after 11 pm ahead of the early wake.
The Diogo Jota funeral procession followed a harrowing car accident near Cernadilla in northern Portugal.
The brothers had been driving a Lamborghini Huracan when a tyre burst as they overtook another vehicle, causing the car to veer off the A‑52 motorway. The vehicle rolled over and caught fire, killing both brothers instantly.
Spanish official Angel Blanco confirmed that neither could be saved. The accident also sparked a nearby brush fire, which firefighters quickly managed.
Neto remains unclear which brother was at the wheel, a question that haunts supporters now uniting during the Diogo Jota funeral procession.
Capela de Ressurreicao’s parish priest, Jose Macedo, told one broadcaster that the wake would begin at 08:00 am on Friday, followed by a funeral service at Igreja Matriz at 10 am on Saturday.
He said, “We’re available to celebrate with everyone and to share the pain and the Christian hope.”
The Diogo Jota funeral procession followed an earlier move to Puebla de Sanabria in Spain, where the bodies were first taken.
Jota’s agent and close friend Jorge Mendes was visibly emotional as he supported the family, escorting their mother into the funeral home.
Mendes, in tears, said, “We lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, professional. I still can’t believe it. It’s very difficult.”
We lost two great people. Diogo is an example as a person, husband, son, professional. I still can’t believe it.
Supporters, wearing scarves, jerseys, and candles, stood throughout the cold night, their expressions a mixture of sorrow and solidarity during the Diogo Jota funeral procession.
The event held additional poignancy as it took place in Gondomar, just half an hour from Porto—home to Diogo and Andre.
Only two weeks earlier, the brothers had celebrated Diogo’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in a private ceremony filled with hope and happiness.
This memory adds to the family’s grief, turning their Diogo Jota funeral procession into a testament to love, loss, and shared humanity.
The wake, set to welcome thousands from across Portugal, offers a space for collective grief and reconciliation.
In a town shaken by tragedy, the presence of so many mourners during the Diogo Jota funeral procession reflects deep national unity and respect for the brothers’ legacy.
Throughout his years with Liverpool, Wolves, and the Portuguese national team, Diogo earned admiration for his talent, humility, and generous spirit.
The Diogo Jota funeral procession is both a goodbye and a commemoration of a life that touched many. His untimely death at 28 has left a void, yet the procession reveals the enduring admiration of fans across the globe.
The Diogo Jota funeral procession continues until Saturday, and the scenes of grief have prompted an outpouring of support from football clubs, players, politicians, and royalty.
As Portugal mourns, the procession serves as a solemn reminder that heroes can emerge not only from triumph but from the bonds they forge along the way.