Rúben Neves and João Cancelo were overcome with emotion as heartfelt tributes were paid to the late Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva during a minute’s silence at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Portuguese duo, both close friends and long-time international team-mates of the Liverpool forward, were visibly distraught during Friday evening’s memorial held in Orlando, Florida — their first match since the tragic car crash that claimed the lives of Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, in Spain last Thursday.

Overwhelmed with Grief as Silence Falls in Orlando
Representing Al Hilal in the Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense, both Neves and Cancelo struggled to contain their grief during the pre-match tribute. Cameras captured the emotional scenes as Neves buried his face in his hands, while Cancelo crouched down, wiping away tears, consoled by team-mates.

Head coach Simone Inzaghi had reportedly given both players the option to sit out the fixture, acknowledging the profound emotional toll. Nevertheless, both chose to play — a decision made out of respect for their friend.

Just an hour before kick-off, Neves shared a powerful and deeply personal tribute to Jota on social media, expressing his sorrow and love.

Neves' Heartfelt Tribute: “You’ll Always Be There With Me”
In a moving Instagram post, Neves wrote:

“Bro, wherever you are, I know you’ll read this. We’ve never been this sloppy, and maybe now I regret it a little. But you know what you mean to me, as much as I know what I mean to you.

More than a friendship, we’re family — and that won’t change just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away.

When I go to the national team, you’ll still be by my side — at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane. You’ll always be there with me, like usual.

Let’s keep laughing, making plans, sharing our lives. I’ll make sure your loved ones are never without, while you’re watching over us — far away, but thinking of us, waiting for us.

Life brought us together. Now it can’t tear us apart. We’ve achieved great things together — and we still have more to do, I know we can.

From now on, you’ll take to the field with me. We’ll keep walking this path together — on the same stage where we met.

Diogoal… you are my favourite lemonade. Amo-te.”

This post followed an earlier message shared by Neves in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, which read:
“They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”

A Bond Forged in Porto, Cemented in Wolverhampton
Neves and Jota’s friendship dates back to 2016 when both were rising stars at FC Porto. The pair later signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the same summer, playing pivotal roles in the club’s promotion to the Premier League and its subsequent European adventures. Their bond, both on and off the pitch, was widely known and cherished among teammates and fans alike.

Cancelo, another member of Portugal’s golden generation, shared similar ties with Jota from international duty. Their closeness as a trio was reflected in the raw emotion on display in Florida.

Football World United in Grief
The football community continues to mourn the devastating loss of the Jota brothers. A large crowd gathered for a wake in Gondomar, Portugal on Friday morning, ahead of their funeral at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in São Cosme on Saturday at 10am.

Though originally intended to be a private family affair, the service was later opened to the public, allowing hundreds to pay their respects.

Among those in attendance were Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot, and former Wolves and Portugal star João Moutinho, one of Jota’s closest friends in football. Liverpool also sent a delegation led by sporting director Richard Hughes.

As tributes continue to pour in from around the globe, the pain and legacy of Diogo Jota’s sudden passing are deeply felt — not only by his team-mates, but by a football world that has lost one of its brightest and most beloved figures.