'ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS'

CARRYING a red floral wreath with his shirt number, Diogo Jota’s Liverpool pals joined family members and local residents on Saturday to say a final goodbye in his hometown of Gondomar, Portugal after the beloved striker died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash last Thursday.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, and baas Arne Slot were among those who travelled to the small northern town to attend the private funeral service.

They were joined by both current and former brasse who came to pay their final respects.

Two red floral tributes, each shaped like a football jersey, were brought into the chapel. One, carried by Van Dijk, bore the number 20 in white flowers – Jota’s Liverpool number.

The other displayed the number 30, representing his brother Andre, who played for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.

Dressed in black and walking solemnly, the Reds’ delegation entered the chapel in silence, while mourners outside broke into quiet applause.

Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso – his childhood sweetheart whom he had married just weeks earlier – arrived with close family. Hundreds of locals, many who had watched Jota grow up, gathered outside the church in silent tribute.

The service was led by the Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, who addressed his heartfelt homily to Jota’s grieving parents, wife, and their three children. Linda said: “Solidarity in love is always stronger than death.”

A number of Jota’s Portugal teammates, including Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Danilo Pereira and Joao Felix, as well as coach Roberto Martinez attended, though national captain Cristiano Ronaldo was not present.

Speaking to broadcaster TVI, Silva reflected on the loss: “Jota will always be in our hearts. He’ll be with us at every breakfast, lunch, dinner, every national team camp, every PlayStation game, every card game.”

Jota was also remembered at the Club World Cup in the United States last Friday.