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Liverpool Star Diogo Jota, Brother Laid To Rest After Tragic Car Crash

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A wave of grief swept across the football world on Saturday as Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, 25, were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar, near Porto, following a tragic car crash that claimed their lives on Thursday.

The two brothers were killed when their vehicle veered off a motorway in northwestern Spain and burst into flames, just a week after Jota had celebrated his wedding to longtime partner, Rute Cardoso.

He had shared a joyful video of the June 22 ceremony online only hours before the accident. The couple had three children together.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Tragedy Strikes As Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Reportedly Dies In Fatal Car Crash

A solemn funeral service was held at a local chapel and presided over by the Bishop of Porto.

Teammates, coaches, and dignitaries gathered in deep mourning, with notable absentees including Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, though many members of the national team – such as Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Danilo Pereira, and Joao Felix – were present. Portugal’s national team coach Roberto Martinez also attended.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk presented a garlanded wreath shaped like a Liverpool jersey bearing Jota’s number 20, symbolizing the club’s deep loss.

He, alongside teammates Darwin Nunez and other Liverpool officials, attended the Friday evening wake, joining family and friends in remembrance.

Paying tribute at the wake were Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes, and Porto club president Andre Villas-Boas.

Jota had played for FC Porto earlier in his career before moving to Atletico Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and later Liverpool.

“Football is truly in mourning. Diogo was an icon of the talent Portuguese football represents,” said Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation.

Emotional scenes unfolded as mourners arrived with wreaths, many openly sobbing. Jota’s grandfather, frail and devastated, had to be supported as he entered the chapel.

Tributes continued across the globe. British rock band Oasis dedicated their song “Live Forever” to Jota during a concert in Cardiff on Friday night, marking their first tour in 16 years.

Outside Anfield, Liverpool FC’s stadium, a sea of flowers, scarves, balloons, and Jota shirts was created by grieving fans.

The club lowered its flags to half-mast and opened a book of condolences, while heartfelt messages like “Rest in Peace Diogo Jota” were seen throughout the city.

At the Diogo Jota Football Academy, located near Gondomar SC where his football journey began, supporters built a makeshift memorial of candles, flowers, and handwritten notes. One note from a child simply read, “Thank you, Diogo Jota.”

Pedro Neves, a childhood friend, remembered Jota fondly: “He was very friendly, very courteous, loved everyone, and always had a smile. He left us too young—it’s not fair. But that’s how life is sometimes.”

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed Jota in 2020, said he was “heartbroken.” His successor, Arne Slot, noted that the club must “stand together and be there for one another.”

Jota’s memory was also honored internationally with a minute of silence observed during the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final between Fluminense and Al Hilal in Orlando, and during UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches.

Media reports indicated Jota was en route to Santander, Spain, to board a ferry to England ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season camp, opting not to fly on medical advice after a recent lung operation. The club has since postponed the return of several players.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah expressed his devastation, saying the loss had left him “frightened” to return to the club.

 

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Tragedy Hits Spanish Football As Tenerife Striker Jesus De Miguel Dies At 30

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Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a second-division match.

Tenerife confirmed the player’s death on Tuesday, November 3, revealing that he died at 8:00 a.m. following complications from injuries sustained during the encounter.

The incident occurred towards the closing stages of the match, which was tied at 2-2, when Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, rushed out of his goal and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.

SEE ALSO: Spain’s World Cup Joy Turns to Horror as 13-Year-Old Dies in Celebration Disaster

The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned.

Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after the collision and was resuscitated. However, Tenerife later announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated before he eventually died.

In a statement announcing the tragedy, the club expressed profound sadness over the loss of the striker and extended its condolences to his family, friends and supporters.

“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8:00 am (7am GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said.

De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 from Castellon and had spent just over a season with the Spanish side.

Tributes have continued to pour in from across Spanish football, including former Barcelona defender and FC Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Pique.

“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote on social media.

FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several other Spanish clubs sent messages of sympathy.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation equally expressed its grief, describing the news as deeply saddening and extending its condolences following the striker’s death.

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Sanwo-Olu Pledges Full Support as Lagos Prepares to Host 2026 CAF Awards

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.

The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.

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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”

He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.

“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.

He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”

The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.

The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.

The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.

The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.

The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.

The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.

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Iheanacho Flaunts Turkish Nickname

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After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.

The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.

He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.

In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”

READ ALSO: Tinubu Charges PCC Members to Deliver Wards

The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.

The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.

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