Mourners to gather in Portugal for wake of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota

Mourners are set to gather to honour Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, a local parish priest has said.

Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, died in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Less than two weeks ago Jota, who was 28, married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. The couple have three children together.

Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am.

According to BBC Sport, Jota was returning for pre-season training next week via ferry after being advised not to fly following minor surgery.

Liverpool’s “heartbroken” players have spoken of their pain in paying tribute to their team-mate.

Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said on Instagram he was “absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.”

The Dutch defender wrote in a post alongside a picture of Jota with the Premier League trophy: “What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.

“You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair.

“My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family.

“A champion forever, number 20 forever. It’s been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.

“We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live