FIFA paid tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva before the Club World Cup quarterfinal games in the United States on Friday, following their tragic deaths in a car crash in Spain.
The bodies of 28-year-old Jota and 25-year-old Silva were found near Zamora in northwestern Spain after the Lamborghini they were driving crashed and burst into flames on an isolated stretch of highway shortly after midnight on Thursday.
At Camping World Stadium in Orlando, ahead of the match between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal and Brazil’s Fluminense, players from both teams formed a circle at midfield as the video board displayed a photo of the Portuguese brothers. Spectators observed a moment of silence to honor them.
A similar tribute took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Brazil's Palmeiras faced England’s Chelsea. A black-and-white photo of Jota and Silva was displayed on the stadium screen as players from both teams wore black armbands in remembrance.
Diogo Jota and brother killed in Spain crash, Portugal prepares for funeral
Chelsea player Pedro Neto, a Portugal national teammate and friend of Diogo Jota, made the sign of the cross as he walked onto the pitch with a jersey draped over his shoulder bearing the first names of Jota and André Silva. During the moment of silence, Neto held up the jersey with the help of teammate Enzo Fernández.
Spanish police said the cause of the accident is under investigation, though no other vehicles were involved. Authorities suspect a blown tire may have caused the crash.
The tragedy comes just two weeks after Jota married his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, while on vacation following Liverpool’s Premier League-winning season. The couple had three children, the youngest born last year.
Silva played for Portuguese club Penafiel, which competes in the country’s lower football divisions.