The burials for Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Filipe Teixeira da Silva, will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Gondomar, a town just outside the northern Portuguese city of Porto.
Local priest Father Jose Manuel Macedo initially declared that the ceremonies would begin at 4 p.m. on Friday but later verified that the schedule had been pushed back to Saturday morning.
The delay is believed to be due to minor legal concerns that Jota and Silva’s relatives, who were still in Spain as of Thursday evening, wanted to overcome before the bodies could be repatriated.
Father Macedo plans a wake at São Cosme Chapel, followed by a burial liturgy in Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, the town’s primary Catholic church.
Diogo Jota has a strong personal connection to Gondomar, where he began his football career with a local team. It’s also thought to be where he met his wife. It is unknown whether the family would prefer a private ceremony or invite the public to attend the services.
The brothers’ terrible deaths near Zamora in northwestern Spain sparked an outpouring of tributes from around the football world on Thursday.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, club legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, and current manager Arne Slot were among those who paid respect to Jota and his brother.
Liverpool players also shared emotional tributes in memory of their fallen teammate.
Alexis Mac Allister posted on Instagram, “I can’t believe it. I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you a person. It hurts a lot; we will miss you. Rest in peace, dear Diogo.”
Dominik Szoboszlai added, “Words cannot describe how heartbroken and devastated we are… Your smile and your love for the game will never be forgotten. We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, brother.”
