Ruben Neves Attends Funeral of Diogo Jota and Brother André in Portugal
In a poignant display of loyalty and friendship, Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves arrived in Portugal to attend the funeral of his close friend and former teammate Diogo Jota, along with Jota’s younger brother André Silva, at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.
The Liverpool star and his brother tragically lost their lives in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Less than 12 hours prior, Neves was competing in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense in Orlando, Florida, before making a swift journey across the Atlantic to be present for the somber occasion.
Neves, who shared a deep bond with Jota forged during their time together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portuguese national team, was visibly emotional during a minute’s silence held in Jota’s honor before the Club World Cup match.
Alongside teammate João Cancelo, Neves struggled to contain his grief as images of Jota and André appeared on the stadium screen, a moment that resonated deeply with fans and players alike.
Despite the emotional toll, Neves chose to play in the quarter-final, a decision left to him by Al-Hilal’s head coach Simone Inzaghi, who acknowledged the profound impact of the tragedy on his players.
Following Al-Hilal’s elimination from the tournament, Neves and Cancelo boarded a private jet from Orlando, departing at 7:00 PM local time (midnight in Portugal) and arriving in Porto just before 8:00 AM on Saturday.
The timing allowed Neves to join hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, and football luminaries, at the funeral service scheduled for 10:00 AM.
Among those in attendance were Liverpool players such as Virgil van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, and Alexis Mac Allister, as well as Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot.
Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro also paid their respects, underscoring the national significance of the loss.
Neves, who carried Jota’s coffin during the procession, had earlier shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing, “Bug, wherever you are, I know you’ll read this...
More than a friendship, we’re family, and we won’t stop being that just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!”
He vowed to honor Jota’s memory by ensuring his family’s needs are met and carrying his friend’s spirit onto the pitch.
“From today on, you’ll enter the field with me, and we’ll follow our path together,” Neves wrote, a testament to their enduring bond.
The funeral, held in the brothers’ hometown of Gondomar, saw emotional scenes as Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, wept openly while holding onto her husband’s coffin.
The service, marked by violins and tolling bells, drew a large crowd of locals and football fans who gathered outside the church to pay their respects.
Floral tributes, Porto jerseys, and messages of condolence adorned the Chapel of the Resurrection during the wake on Friday, reflecting the widespread grief for two young footballers taken too soon.
Diogo Jota, aged 28, and André Silva, 25, died when their Lamborghini veered off the A-52 highway in Zamora, Spain, due to a tire blowout, causing the vehicle to catch fire.
Jota, a key figure in Liverpool’s Premier League triumph in the 2024-25 season, leaves behind his wife and three children.
André, a midfielder for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel, was also a rising talent.
The football world continues to mourn, with tributes from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jürgen Klopp, and Steven Gerrard highlighting the profound impact of their loss.
The legacy of Diogo Jota and André Silva, as expressed by the Portuguese Football Federation, will be honored daily, with their contributions to the sport and their personal warmth forever etched in the hearts of those who knew them.