Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva have been laid to rest. The Liverpool striker was travelling with his younger sibling in northern Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning when his car was involved in a fatal crash.

It’s been reported the accident, on the A52 known as Palacios de Sanabria, near the city of Zamora, was the result of a blown-out tyre as Jota and Andre, himself a player for Portuguese side Penafiel, were making their way towards a ferry that was bound for the UK ahead of a return to pre-season training.

The bodies of both footballers were returned to their native Portugal on Thursday evening and a wake was held in Gondomar, a district of Porto, on Friday, July 4 ahead of the funeral service at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar (the Mother Church of Gondomar) today (July 5).

Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at Igreja Matriz, told CNN Portugal: “The bodies of the two brothers will be taken to the Easter chapel to pray tomorrow and then there will be a funeral. We are ready to join people in remembering their lives. At the same time, we share the pain, as well as the hope of the believers.”

Portugal’s President of the Assembly, Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco, explained how Jota was an example to the people of Portugal, saying: “It is very sad news for national and international sport.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva. As a footballer, Diogo Jota has always represented the Portuguese national football team with great pride.

“He has great talent and hard work, becoming an example for many young people because of the way he pursues his career. In the National Assembly, on July 4, a vote of condolence will be held, I will present, in memory of these two young men and the legacy they left for the national sport.”

Ronaldo stayed away from the funeral of his former Portugal team-mate

A Portuguese outlet has claimed that he was in touch with Jota’s family

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly told Diogo Jota’s wife that he will always be there for them following the Liverpool star’s tragic death.

The Portugal legend is said to have spoken with Rute Cardoso as well as Jota’s parents to assure the family of his support.

That’s according to Portuguese outlet Record, who also claim he told the family he would stay away from the joint funeral of Jota and brother Andre Silva to avoid causing a media circus.

Ronaldo’s absence from the joint funeral of Jota and his footballer brother Andre was causing shockwaves in their homeland on Saturday.

Portugal’s most capped player and team captain was expected to fly to Gondomar near Porto to pay his last respects alongside Jota’s club and country team-mates at a wake on Friday and the funeral mass on Saturday morning.

But the 40-year-old dad-of-three was a no-show at both – with a leading Majorcan newspaper saying he was holidaying on the island and had been spotted in two upmarket destinations on board his £5.5million 88-feet long Azimut Grande yacht, which boasts five luxury cabins and six bathrooms.

Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly holidaying in Majorca ahead of Diogo Jota’s funeral service

Jota tragically passed away just weeks after winning the Nations League with Portugal

The coffins of Diogo Jota And Andre Silva are carried by family, former teammates and friends into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar where the funeral is being held

Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso places her hand on the coffin of her late husband as it is taken inside the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar – Ronaldo has reported spoken to RUte

Liverpool team-mates, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Manchester United full back Diogo Dalot, both Portuguese national team players, were among the footballers who packed into the church on Saturday morning – the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.

Portugal internationals Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, seen in tears on Friday night before their Club World Cup clash in Orlando, also made it to the church on time along with Portugal manager Roberto Martinez who has been in the States as a member of the FIFA Club World Cup Technical Study Group.

Portuguese journalist Antonio Ribeiro Cristovao said shortly before the mass began: ‘He is the captain of the Portugal squad. Many expected he would attend.

‘Diogo Jota was part of the team. Maybe there are some reasons we don’t know.

‘If he doesn’t attend, he has to explain the reason. He has that responsibility. He is the captain.’

Sports journalist and commentator Luis Cristovao called his absence ‘inexplicable’ as the funeral mass got underway without Ronaldo, saying: ‘Being inexplicable, any justification will fall short of the shortcoming he committed with his absence.’

And TV sports commentator Pedro Fatela, added of the Al-Nassr striker’s no-show: ‘This absence will be much discussed. There must be justifications in the coming days.

‘We will know why Cristiano wasn’t able to travel to Gondomar to be present in this moment, but he is the captain.

Diogo Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso is consoled by a friend as she follows the coffins of the 28-year-old and his brother Andre Silva, 25, during a joint funeral service

The coffins of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre are carried through the streets of Gondomar during a joint funeral procession

A poster of Andre Silva is carried as the coffins are walked to the Church ahead of the funeral for him and his brother Diogo Jota

Mourners at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva make their way into the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in the town of Gondoma to start the funeral service

Andre (left) and Diogo pictured in their Porto FC kits. The pair both played for the team’s academy

Liverpool stars Jordan Henderson, Alexis Mac Allister and James Milner leave the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar

‘All of us were expecting, as all coaches and players were there, to have the captain side by side with his teammates.’

A football fan commenting on Ronaldo’s no-show on X said: ‘For Cristiano Ronaldo not to interrupt his holidays to appear at the funeral is something inadmissible as a friend and as Portugal’s captain. It was the least he should have done.’

Referencing Ronaldo’s emotional Instagram post after he learned about Diogo and brother Andre Silva’s car crash deaths on the A-52 highway near Zamora close to Spain’s north-west border with Portugal in the early hours of Thursday morning, he added: ‘It’s not just messages on social media that count, it’s not just money that counts.’

Another Portuguese X user called Flavia, hinting Ronaldo must have decided he didn’t want to be the focus of fans and well-wishers and detract from the funeral by attending, said: ‘People are already criticising Cristiano Ronaldo for not showing up at the wake and funeral.

‘Folks, I don’t know if you realise what Cristiano Ronaldo means to Gondomar.

‘I understand it would be good for our captain to attend the funeral but we can’t forget who Ronaldo is.

‘I understand why he doesn’t show up.’

A follower responding to her message agreed saying: ‘The problem is a lot of people have no respect and would have gone to have a chance of seeing Ronaldo and not for Diogo.’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot leaves the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva

People take part in a funeral procession of Portuguese footballers and brothers Diogo Jota and Andre Silva in Gondomar

Local reports Ronaldo had been spotted on his luxury yacht in Majorca first emerged yesterday evening on the eve of the funerals.

He posted an emotional tribute to the Liverpool winger and his footballer brother Andre Silva when he learned they had died in the early hours of Thursday after crashing in a 200mph £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan following a suspected tyre blowout.

The siblings were on their way to the Spanish port city of Santander so Diogo, who had been advised against air travel following lung surgery, could take a ferry to the UK and head on to Liverpool.

Reporting former Manchester United frontman Ronaldo had been spotted relaxing in the Balearic Islands, respected Majorcan newspaper Ultima Hora said late on Friday: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo has chosen Majorca again as a destination to enjoy his summer vacation.’

It went on to report the Portuguese star had been seen in the upmarket resort of Illetes on Majorca’s south-west coastline and the port of Andratx on board his £5.5m yacht.

And it added: ‘Although on this occasion he hasn’t been seen outside of his yacht, it’s normal for the footballer to take advantage of his stay on the island to train, go to high-class restaurants and enjoy family life.’

Ronaldo last holidayed in Majorca with his family three years ago.

An employee of the footballer’s, thought to have been one of his bodyguards, was injured during the break when the sports car he was driving came off the road and smashed into a stone wall protecting a house near Ronaldo’s holiday home.

President of FC Porto Andre Villas Boas (second from the left) attends the funeral of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, in Gondomar

Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson arrive at the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez (left) and Federico Chiesa (right) arrive for the funeral of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva

The Bugatti he crashed was one of two cars the former Manchester United frontman had ferried over to the Spanish island for his sunshine break.

Ronaldo was reportedly in another vehicle in a small convoy with his loved ones when his employee came off the road after they left their rented family home for a day out.

He was said at the time to have ordered other staff to remain at the scene while they continued their journey.

The badly-damaged Bugatti was later driven away on a tow-truck under a blue tarpaulin.

The owner of the Majorcan house hit by Cristiano Ronaldo’s sports car subsequently said he had pledged to pay for the damage.

The unnamed homeowner revealed he was promised compensation after turning up at his rented mansion to try to speak to him.

In his Instagram tribute to newly-married Diogo and his brother Ronaldo said: ‘Doesn’t make any sense. Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married.

‘To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre We will all miss you.’

Diogo Jota’s long-time agent Jorge Mendes attended yesterday’s wake after travelling to Spain to spend time with the footballer’s heartbroken loved ones including his widow Rute Cardoso, mum to their three children, while they tried to repatriate his body.

Ronaldo has not explained his absence yet on his social media.

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FAREWELL, DIOGO Football unites in heartbreak for Diogo Jota & brother Andre’s funeral from Portugal to Liverpool after tragic car crash

LIVERPOOL star Diogo Jota was laid to rest after a heartbreaking funeral attended by his family, friends and Liverpool teammates today.

The Reds striker, 28, and his 25-year-old footballer brother Andre Silva were buried just two days after their tragic deaths in a car crash.

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13 Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson led mourners with two touching wreathes emblazoned with Diogo’s number 20 and André’s number 30 Credit: The Sun

13 Liverpool manager Arne Slot bows his head as he leaves the service Credit: PA

13 Jordan Henderson (L), James Milner (R) and Alexis Mac Allister (C) leave the touching service Credit: PA

13 Sunflowers sent by Diogo’s former club Wolves Credit: Darren Fletcher

13 People attend the funeral of late Portugal’s player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva

13 Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday Credit: Alamy

13 Rute Cardoso and Diogo had got married less than two weeks ago Credit: fk.felippekatia

As family, friends and teammates said goodbye to Jota and his brother Andre in their hometown in Portugal, mourners were paying their respects over 1,000 miles away at Anfield.

A sea of floral tributes have been left outside the stadium as fans gathered to pay tribute to the star.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered well-being support.

Relatives and friends filed into the church in Gondomar, northern Portugal this morning – the same place where Diogo had got married just 13 days ago.

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Father-of-three Jota had only married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso a fortnight ago, with the organist and soloist who entertained the couple on their wedding performing at the funeral mass.

The Bishop of Porto Don Manuel Linda dedicated the mass to Jota’s three young children, Dinis, four, Duarte, two and seven-month-old Mafalda, who did not attend the hour-long service.

Bishop Linda addressed them directly to assure them they would be loved and supported following the loss of their dad.

He said: “Dear Dinis, Duarte and Mafalda, you don’t know who I am and I don’t know you personally either.

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“But I know that, at this moment, you are suffering immensely – or maybe not – because you don’t even realise the tragedy that has befallen your family.

“You will become aware of it later and it will be terrible but I will pray a lot for you.

Wimbledon star wears black ribbon in poignant tribute to Diogo Jota as SW19 chiefs relax strict dress code

“Rute is heartbroken and so are your grandparents Isabel and Joaquim and other members of your family.

“When it is not just one coffin but the coffins of two brothers there are no words.”

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Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martinez spoke outside the church after the ceremony and said it was “essential” for Portugal to show “we are together,” adding the brothers’ spirits will be “with us forever”.

He said: “So thank you very much for your messages and for your support and everything that we receive [from] all over the world.

“Today we are all one football family.”

13 A sea of flowers has sprung up in Liverpool for Jota Credit: PA

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13 Fans pay their respects outside Anfield Stadium Credit: Reuters

13 Tributes are placed outside the stadium Credit: Reuters

13 Everton manager, David Moyes, pays his respects outside Anfield Stadium Credit: Reuters

13 Fans and family said goodbye to Diogo Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

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13 Diogo and his brother Andre both played football – with the younger sibling playing for FC Penafiel Credit: FC Porto

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk and defender Andy Robertson led virtually the entire Reds squad carrying wreaths emblazoned with Diogo’s number 20 and André’s number 30.

Team coach Arne Slot joined the black-suited group along with stars including Joe Gomez, Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Ibrahima Konate, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones.

They were joined by former teammates James Milner and Jordan Henderson.

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The Kop club will remain in mourning after putting back planned pre-season training schedules while players and coaching staff recover from their loss.

The service was private but a live audio feed was played outside the church and players and the funeral cortege were greeted by warm applause in bright sunshine.

Jota, along with André – a player for Portuguese second tier club Penafiel – when his Lamborghini crashed on the A52 highway in Zamora province, northern Spain.

The £210,000 Huracan supercar – capable of 199mph – suffered a suspected tyre blowout.

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They were en route to the Spanish port city of Santander to catch a ferry to the UK after Portugal star Jota was urged not to travel by plane following lung surgery.

Renato Veiga of Chelsea; Wolves’ Nelson Semedo, former Liverpool player Fabinho, Porto FC president Andre Villas-Boas also attended yesterday.

Follow our live blog below…

The father-of-three, who married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso 11 days before the accident, died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, after a Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The coffins of Jota and Silva were carried into Igreja Matriz de Gondomar church in the town of Gondomar near Porto on Saturday morning, followed by mourners.

A church bell tolled and crowds applauded as the brothers’ coffins were carried into the church, followed by mourners, some with their arms around each other.

Others seen arriving at the church included Reds manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk and team-mates including Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez and Joe Gomez.

Also at the funeral for the Portugal international were his national team-mates Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, Joao Felix and Renato Veiga of Chelsea, Nelson Semedo from Wolves, Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio and Ruben Neves, as well as former Liverpool player Fabinho, Porto president Andre Villas-Boas and Portugal manager Roberto Martinez.

Neves served as one of the pallbearers for Jota after flying in from Florida, where he played for Al Hilal in the Club World Cup quarter-final on Friday night.

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson at Jota’s funeral (PA)

Some of the players carried wreaths shaped like football shirts as they arrived at the church.

“They are (have been) really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we have shown we are a very large, but close family,” Martinez told media outside the church, in a short interview broadcast on Sky Sports News.

“We are Portugal, and it was essential for us that (with) Andre Silva and Diogo Jota, we are together and we will always be together and their spirit will be with us forever.

“Thank you very much for your messages, for your support and everything that we have received (from) all over the world. It means a lot and today we are all one football family.”

Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez (left) paid tribute to the brothers (PA)

City midfielder Silva also paid tribute to his fellow Portugal international.

“I can’t even imagine the pain of the family, of Rute, of the children, of the parents,” Silva told Portuguese broadcaster TVI.

“I must talk a little about Jota, who was a great friend to all of us.

“His career, although not the most important thing, speaks for itself. His passion, will and determination allowed him to succeed in life and have a brilliant career.

Manchester City and Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva was one of many players who attended the service (PA)

“More important than that, as a person, the memories that remain. Jota will remain in our hearts forever. He will always be present at all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, national team gatherings, PlayStation or card games.

“It is a very tough episode for all of us, because we spent a lot of time together. The memories I have with him are fantastic. These happy memories will remain; he will be present in every victory.

“We were rivals and team-mates for many years. He became a great friend. He was present at my wedding. Unfortunately, I wasn’t at his, because I was at the Club World Cup.

“It is a family that will always be with us and that we will try to preserve.”

Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson was not able to attend the service for his team-mate.

He wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of their two families: “Usually, I post things that make sense, but today, nothing makes sense!

“Once again, an ocean separates me from “saying goodbye” to someone I love! But I know that I am well represented by my club mates!

“To you, my friend Rute, just know that you will never walk alone, we will be with you as soon as possible!”

There were emotional scenes between Diogo Jota’s former team-mates (PA)

After the funeral service, the coffins were carried to the cemetery next to the church.

Family and friends gathered for the brothers’ wake on Friday, with a queue forming outside the Portuguese chapel.

The brothers’ parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao, in Gondomar, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota’s agent also there.

People held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool shirt and making a heart sign with his hands.

Liverpool postponed the return of their players for pre-season following Jota’s death and players past and present paid tribute to him and his brother on social media.

Everton manager David Moyes (centre) was among those to lay flowers at Anfield on Saturday (Peter Byrne/PA)

A sea of floral tributes had been left outside Anfield, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support.

Everton manager David Moyes and assistant Alan Irvine laid a tribute at Anfield on Saturday.

A message in the card with the flowers read: “With heartfelt sympathy, from David Moyes and everyone at Everton Football Club.”

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and Arne Slot arrive at the funeral (PA)

Jota and Silva were found dead after the car crashed on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday.

Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed “a possible speeding incident” was being looked at.

Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle.

No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident.