One year after the tragic disappearance of Diogo Jota and André Silva: Liverpool and Portuguese football pay tribute
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
One year after the fatal accident which cost the lives of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, Liverpool FC, Penafiel and all of Portuguese football remember and perpetuate their memory through various tributes. A sculpture was even unveiled at Anfield to celebrate their heritage at the English club.
This Friday, July 3, sadly marks one year since the dramatic death of Diogo Jota, Portuguese winger for Liverpool, and his younger brother André Silva, midfielder for Penafiel, victims of a road accident in Zamora, Spain. Diogo Jota was 28 years old and had just married Rute, his childhood sweetheart and mother of their three children, on June 22. His brother, André Silva, was only 25 years old.
Their disappearance plunged those close to them, but also the world of football and the Portuguese selection, into strong emotion. At the time of the accident, the two brothers were traveling to Santander, in a car driven by Diogo Jota, with the aim of boarding a ferry to Portsmouth; the vehicle caught fire after a tire burst, unfortunately leaving them with no chance.
The mourning was immense in Gondomar, in the district of Porto, during their funeral, which brought together family, friends, representatives of Liverpool, Penafiel, the Portuguese federation but also various political and sporting figures.
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A year later, the pain remains strong in Liverpool, where supporters continue to pay tribute to Diogo Jota every 20th minute of a match, in reference to his jersey number. At Anfield, a sculpture was installed this Thursday to permanently commemorate his memory and that of his brother. The memory of the player was also present in each of the meetings of the Portuguese selection during this World Cup.
On December 27, a particularly moving moment: Jota's two eldest sons entered the Anfield lawn, hand in hand with captain Virgil van Dijk, before the match between Liverpool and Wolverhampton, another club that marked Diogo Jota's career.
Portuguese football and the clubs concerned still express their deep respect today for the career and personality of the two brothers, whose legacy remains engraved in people's minds.