Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota after his goal in the Club World Cup

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota after his goal in the Club World Cup

Pedro Neto has delivered a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota following the tragic passing of the Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash on Thursday.

Local police have reported that the fatal accident occurred after a tire burst while overtaking. The bodies of both brothers were transported back to their hometown in northern Portugal before a wake took place on Friday, leading up to the funeral service at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, there was a significant presence from Liverpool at the ceremony, a testament to Jota's impact, with several of his teammates traveling to Portugal to pay their respects.

Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo managed to fly in from America to Jota's birthplace just hours after Al-Hilal were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Fluminense.

But Neto played in Chelsea’s quarter-final match in the same tournament, which kicked off around eight hours before the funeral service began.

The 25-year-old winger put in an 85-minute shift in Chelsea's 2-1 victory against Palmeiras, securing their place in the semifinals against Fluminense.

Pedro Neto is at the Club World Cup with Chelsea (Image: Photo by Carl Recine - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Prior to the game, Neto shared his own tribute, stepping onto the pitch wearing a Chelsea shirt emblazoned with the names "Diogo" and "Andre." He and Enzo Fernandez displayed this touching gesture during the minute of silence.

Hours after the funeral, Neto took to Instagram to express his feelings, writing: "My sweet friend Jota. What a man, what a husband, what a father, what a partner and what a friend..

"Your endearing laugh that made us all laugh non-stop. I learned a lot from you and as you often said, 'There are no fantasies in the world'.

"You are great and you will always be and that is how we will remember you forever. We will never forget you, watch over us."

Bernardo Silva has also paid tribute to Jota (Image: Getty)

Jota and Neto were not only club teammates but also shared the pitch on the international stage. During their stint at Molineux, they played together 14 times, adding another seven appearances for the Portuguese national team.

"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding," Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said in a statement on Thursday. "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.

"When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities."

Adblock test (Why?)

"There was something special about him"

"There was something special about him"

A joint-funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva was held on Saturday morning

A joint-funeral for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva was held on Saturday morning

Ousmane Dembele was on target for Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup and paid tribute to Diogo Jota

Ousmane Dembele was on target for Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup and paid tribute to Diogo Jota

PSG forward Ousmane Dembele paid a classy tribute to Diogo Jota during his side's Club World Cup victory over Bayern Munich today, emulating his celebration after scoring the goal that confirmed the European Champions' place in the semi-finals.

Dembele made it 2-0 late on in the game and recreated Jota's iconic PlayStation action, where he pretended to be playing on a game console. The Liverpool number 20 was known as a keen gamer and produced the celebration after scoring some important goals for the Reds, including in the dramatic 4-3 win over Spurs in April 2023.

Dembele's gesture drew praise from Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate on social media, who noted the nod to Jota. Several representatives from the Reds were present for today's funeral when Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were laid to rest.

PSG lost two players to red cards in the second half but still won the game to progress. Center-back Willian Pacho was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Leon Goretzka before Lucas Hernandez was adjudged to have elbowed Raphael Guerreiro.

Desire Doue opened the scoring when the teams both had 11 players on the field. Pacho and Hernandez were then sent off by Anthony Taylor, leaving PSG with nine men.

It was at that point that Dembele scored, with PSG catching Bayern Munich on the counter-attack. The Bundesliga side was pushing forward in hope of finding an equalizer, with Harry Kane having a goal ruled out for offside.

Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo managed to fly in from America to attend Jota's funeral service. It came just hours after their team, Al-Hilal, were knocked out of the Club World Cup by Fluminense, with both players starting.

Chelsea forward Pedro Neto played in its quarter-final match in the same tournament, which kicked off around eight hours before the funeral service began. And he later posted an emotional tribute.

"My sweet friend Jota. What a man, what a husband, what a father, what a partner and what a friend," he wrote.

"Your endearing laugh that made us all laugh non-stop. I learned a lot from you and as you often said, 'There are no fantasies in the world'.

Ibrahima Konate posted a message to international teammate Ousmane Dembele after he paid homage to Diogo Jota. (Image: ibrahimakonate/Instagram)

"You are great and you will always be and that is how we will remember you forever. We will never forget you, watch over us."

"You could see it in his first session — that tenacity and the will to win was like no other," Conor Coady, another former teammate of Jota at Wolves, told the BBC.

"He was the heart and soul of the dressing room. He had a quiet way of going about himself. But you knew you could go to him about anything. For me, as a captain, it was an honor and a dream to play with him."

Adblock test (Why?)

Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were laid to rest at a service in Portugal on Saturday morning

Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were laid to rest at a service in Portugal on Saturday morning

Cristiano Ronaldo has told the family of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva that he will always be available to them after missing the pair's funeral earlier today.

Ronaldo opted against attending the ceremony in Gondomar, Portugal, because of his status as a global star. He decided that it could be more harmful than beneficial for him to be there as he would draw excessive attention at a time when the family is grieving.

But the Portuguese outlet A Bola has reported that Ronaldo has offered his assurances to Jota and Silva's family that "he will always be present". Ronaldo, who played alongside Jota for the national team, is said to have spoken to his parents and wife, Rute.

"It doesn't make sense," Ronaldo wrote on social media in a tribute yesterday. "We were just together in the national team, and you had just gotten married.

"To your family, your wife and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. I know you will always be with them. Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and left-back Andy Robertson held floral tributes to Jota and Silva at the funeral. They were joined by several current and former Reds players.

(Image: Getty Images)

Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa were all present. So too was head coach Arne Slot. Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson, and James Milner, all formerly of Liverpool, were also there to pay their respects.

"Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents," the Portuguese soccer association said.

"He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community.

"On behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation and myself, I would like to offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Diogo and Andre as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the respective clubs of the players.

(Image: Getty Images)

"We have lost two champions. Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day."

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro both attended the funeral. Just a few weeks ago, Jota played as Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win the UEFA Nations League for the second time.

"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding," Slot said in a statement released on Thursday. "In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this."

Adblock test (Why?)

The football world united as Diogo Jota and Andre Silva were laid to rest today in an emotional service

The football world united as Diogo Jota and Andre Silva were laid to rest today in an emotional service

Conor Coady’s Heartfelt Tribute to Jota: A Bond Beyond the Pitch Shared Success at Wolves There are moments in football when the game itself becomes secondary. When the statistics, the goals, the league tables—all pale next to the human stories behind them. Conor Coady’s tribute to Diogo Jota is one of those moments. Coady and […]

The post Conor Coady reflects on Jota’s legacy at Wolves and Liverpool appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Shared Success at Wolves

There are moments in football when the game itself becomes secondary. When the statistics, the goals, the league tables—all pale next to the human stories behind them. Conor Coady’s tribute to Diogo Jota is one of those moments.

Coady and Jota forged a connection at Wolverhampton Wanderers that transcended the usual dynamics of a football dressing room. Together, they rose through the ranks—Championship to Premier League, Premier League to Europe. But as Coady tells it, the true story wasn’t written in goals or appearances, but in the character of the man he shared those moments with.

“He was the heart and soul of the dressing room,” Coady said. “He had a quiet way of going about himself. But you knew you could go to him about anything.”

Jota’s Character Left a Lasting Mark

Jota’s recent passing in a tragic car crash sent shockwaves across the football world. Yet for those who knew him—truly knew him—the grief goes beyond headlines. Coady’s words, delivered via BBC Sport, were raw, unscripted, and full of admiration.

“This has hit everybody hard,” he said. “And it will hit everybody hard for a long, long time because Diogo was a fantastic human being, an amazing friend, an amazing husband, an amazing father and an absolute incredible footballer for all the clubs he has played for.”

It wasn’t just what Jota did on the pitch—it was how he carried himself. “He was an unbelievable person,” Coady reflected. “A dream to work with. But it was a pleasure to call him a friend.”

From Wolves to Liverpool: Pride and Pain

Jota’s move to Liverpool was a moment of pride for Coady. Seeing a teammate thrive on the biggest stage affirmed everything he already believed about the Portuguese forward.

“He took the Premier League by storm,” Coady said, recalling the goals, the hat tricks, and the unforgettable nights in the Europa League. “For me as a captain, it was an honour and a dream to play with him.”

Photo: IMAGO

Jota’s legacy isn’t just etched in highlight reels. It’s carried in memories—in the way he “bought into the culture” at Wolves, bringing his childhood sweetheart to Wolverhampton and fully embracing a club still rebuilding its identity.

An Enduring Example for Future Generations

Coady made it clear that Jota’s influence went beyond the touchline. He became a reference point—a blueprint—for how to approach the game with humility, bravery, and love.

“I used to always tell young people they need to learn from players like Diogo and Ruben, who were brave enough to step into the Championship to help a club who were struggling at that time,” Coady said. “He was such an example for everybody. I absolutely loved him.”

There are players who leave an impression. And then there are players like Jota—whose absence feels as profound as his presence once did.

Adblock test (Why?)

Fans and residents continue to pay their respects outside Anfield stadium

Fans and residents continue to pay their respects outside Anfield stadium

The brothers were laid to rest today, July 5