The service was held at the centuries‑old Igreja Matriz de Gondomar. Hundreds of local residents gathered, as church bells tolled and crowds applauded in a poignant tribute. Many wore football jerseys or carried flags to honour the brothers.
Family members, including Diogo’s new wife — married just 11 days earlier — and their three young children, led the mourners. The pallbearers included teammates from both club and country.
A strong presence from Liverpool FC underscored the magnitude of the loss. Captain Virgil van Dijk carried a floral wreath in the shape of Jota’s No. 20 shirt, followed by Andrew Robertson carrying one for André Silva’s No. 30. Manager Arne Slot and a number of current and past teammates also attended.
Portugal’s national team was represented too — top players such as Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Rúben Dias stood in solidarity, alongside coach Roberto Martínez. Martínez praised the bond within the football community, saying, “Their spirit will be with us forever.”
Rúben Neves, freshly off a Club World Cup match in Florida, served as a pallbearer, illustrating how deeply interconnected footballers are, even across continents and competitions.
In a moving address at the service, the Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, spoke to the family, including the widowed wife and children. He offered words of comfort: “Solidarity in love is always stronger than death.”
Local residents, many not inside the church, crowded outside, clapping and quietly weeping. Supporters from across Portugal lined the streets, testifying to the brothers’ impact on both their community and the wider football world.
The tragedy occurred early Thursday near Zamora in north‑western Spain. The brothers were driving to catch a ferry back to England when their Lamborghini veered off the road, caught fire, and killed them instantly. Investigators suspect a tyre blow‑out.
The town of Gondomar—once alive with purple-leafed vines and local match days—now grieves. But it also finds unity in shared loss. As chants of “Força!” rang out, it became clear: the love and memory of Diogo and André will forever live on in their homeland and the beautiful game.