Rute Cardoso, the longtime partner and wife of the late footballer Diogo Jota, accompanied the bodies of Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, back to Portugal late last night, arriving in their homeland on July 4.
The family gathered at the São Cosme Chapel in Gondomar for the wake, following the tragic car accident in Spain that claimed the lives of the two brothers. The fatal crash occurred on Thursday, July 3, as the pair were en route to catch a ferry to the UK. They were driving a £180,000 Lamborghini Huracan when a tyre burst, causing the car to swerve off the road and catch fire. Both died at the scene.
The wake was held in Gondomar, Jota’s hometown, not far from Porto—the city where he and Rute met during their teenage years. The couple had been together for years and recently tied the knot just eleven days ago. They share three children.
Photos from the ceremony show Jota’s wife Rute, his mother Isabel, his grandfather, and other grieving family members in attendance. Notably, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes were also present at the solemn gathering.
The funeral service and burial for Diogo Jota and André Silva are scheduled for Saturday, July 5, in Gondomar.