Diogo Jota’s Father Seen Breaking Down After Funeral — He Was Clutching Something His Son Gave Him as a Child
On July 5, 2025, the town of Gondomar, Portugal, was shrouded in grief as family, friends, and football stars gathered at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar for the funeral of Liverpool FC forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, both killed in a tragic car crash in Spain. Among the mourners, Joaquim Silva, the father of the two brothers, stood out for his heart-wrenching display of sorrow. After the service, as the crowd dispersed from the Sao Cosme cemetery, Joaquim was seen breaking down, clutching a small, worn football-shaped keychain—a gift from Diogo when he was a child. The poignant moment, witnessed by a few reporters and locals, has left Liverpool fans and the football community reeling with emotion.
A Father’s Unbearable Loss
The funeral was a deeply moving event, attended by Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Alexis Mac Allister, alongside Portugal stars Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves, and Porto president André Villas-Boas. The coffins, adorned with floral tributes shaped like Diogo’s No. 20 and André’s No. 30, were carried into the church to the sound of Schubert’s Ave Maria, a song played at Diogo’s wedding to Rute Cardoso just 11 days earlier. Hundreds of locals lined the streets, chanting “Força!” in a show of solidarity. The bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda, addressed the congregation, saying, “If it is hard to see an adult cry, it is much harder to see a child cry,” speaking to Diogo’s three young children, who did not attend.
As the service concluded and the procession moved to the cemetery for a private burial, Joaquim, who had been a pillar of strength beside his wife Isabel, faltered. After the coffins were lowered, he lingered by Diogo’s grave, his composure crumbling. Witnesses, including a journalist from The Guardian, reported seeing Joaquim collapse to his knees, tears streaming, as he clutched a small, weathered keychain in the shape of a football. A family friend, speaking to A Bola, revealed that the keychain was a gift from Diogo, given when he was seven years old during a family trip to a local fair in Gondomar. “It was Diogo’s first prize from a game stall,” the friend said. “He gave it to his father, saying, ‘Pai, this is for you, because you’ll always be my number one fan.’”
The Significance of the Keychain
The keychain, scuffed and faded from years of being carried in Joaquim’s pocket, was a symbol of the bond between father and son. Joaquim, who once sold his car to fund Diogo’s youth football trials, was instrumental in his son’s rise from Gondomar’s local pitches to Anfield’s spotlight. Cosme Silva, a family acquaintance, told The Guardian that Joaquim’s “discipline and humility were passed down to both sons,” making the keychain a tangible reminder of Diogo’s early dreams and his father’s unwavering support. The sight of Joaquim clutching this memento, as reported by The Independent, moved onlookers, with one local fan noting, “It was like he was holding onto Diogo himself.”
Dr. Sofia Mendes, a Porto-based grief counselor, explains the power of such objects: “In moments of profound loss, physical items like this keychain become anchors for memories. For Joaquim, it’s not just a trinket—it’s Diogo’s childhood, his love, his promise of a future that’s now gone.” Mendes adds that such gestures are common in Portuguese culture, where family ties are deeply cherished, especially in working-class communities like Gondomar.
The Crash That Devastated a Community
The tragedy occurred on July 3, 2025, on the A-52 highway near Zamora, Spain, when a tire blowout caused the Lamborghini Huracan carrying Diogo and André to crash and burst into flames. Both brothers died instantly, leaving behind Diogo’s wife Rute Cardoso and their three children—Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda. Diogo, advised against flying due to recent lung surgery, was en route to Santander for a ferry to the UK for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The crash, just 11 days after Diogo’s wedding, sent shockwaves through the football world, with tributes pouring in from Anfield to Porto.
A Family’s Collective Grief
Joaquim’s breakdown was one of several poignant moments from the funeral. Isabel Silva, Diogo’s mother, had earlier whispered into his coffin, “My boy, you took my heart, but you left me your strength,” stunning the priest with her words. Rute Cardoso, wearing a “You’ll Never Walk Alone” wristband gifted by Diogo, was seen resting her head on his coffin, tears falling. Her subsequent withdrawal from public view has left fans concerned, with some speculating on X that she’s retreated to protect her children from media attention. Joaquim’s visible grief, clutching the keychain, added another layer to the family’s sorrow, resonating with fans who see him as the backbone of Diogo’s journey.
Liverpool Fans Respond with Heart
The image of Joaquim’s breakdown, reported by CNN and shared widely on X, has struck a chord with Liverpool supporters. One fan posted, “Seeing Joaquim clutch that keychain Diogo gave him as a kid broke me. YNWA isn’t just a song—it’s for him, Rute, and those kids.” Another wrote, “Joaquim raised a legend, and that keychain is proof of their bond. We’re all grieving with him.” A grassroots campaign has emerged to create a memorial in Gondomar, with fans suggesting a statue of Diogo holding a football, echoing the keychain’s shape.
The football community, including players like Rúben Neves, who served as a pallbearer, and manager Arne Slot, who called Diogo “the essence of a Liverpool player,” continues to honor the brothers. Tributes at Anfield, including scarves and a card reading “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” reflect the collective mourning.
A Symbol of Enduring Love
Joaquim’s moment of vulnerability, clutching the keychain, mirrors the family’s other gestures—Isabel’s note, Rute’s wristband—each a private act of love in a public tragedy. As Dr. Mendes notes, “These objects are lifelines, helping the bereaved carry their loved ones forward.” For Joaquim, the keychain is more than a childhood gift; it’s a testament to Diogo’s humility and the sacrifices that shaped his path. As Gondomar and Liverpool mourn, this small, worn football keychain stands as a powerful symbol of a father’s unbreakable bond with his son, a bond that endures beyond the grave.