The 28-year-old striker died after his Lamborghini veered off the A52 road in Palacios de Sanabria, near Zamora, Spain, and burst into flames in the early hours of Thursday.

The Portuguese international’s brother Andre Silva (25) was also killed in the accident.

Father-of-three Jota had married his long term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days before the incident.

Family, friends and teammates of the late Liverpool star made the journey to his home town of Gondomar near Porto for his wake and funeral, which will take place over the weekend.

Liverpool players report for pre-season training following the funeral in Portugal of Diogo Jota	Portugal stars pay moving tribute to Diogo Jota before Euro 2025 match vs Italy	Diogo Jota tributes continue with lovely gesture from Portugal women’s team at Euro 2025

"Team mates come and go but not like this” – Liverpool FC’s Mo Salah

The brothers’ parents attended the Sao Cosme Chapel, the Capela da Ressurreicao in the town, with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Jota’s agent also in attendance.

Queues formed outside the church as people held service sheets featuring pictures of both brothers, the largest one showing Jota smiling in his Liverpool FC shirt and making a heart sign with his hands.

One man came to pay his respects wearing a Liverpool jersey.

Parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, Jose Manuel Macedo, said the brothers’ funeral would begin at 10am on Saturday morning.

Liverpool FC has postponed the players’ return for pre-season training following Mr Jota’s death, while a number of players and former players have paid tribute to the star.

Manager Arne Slot said the “sense of shock is absolute”, adding: “He was a loved one to all of us.”

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson returned to Anfield with flowers and a club scarf on Friday as he paid his own tribute to Jota.

A sea of floral tributes had been left outside the ground, with many Liverpool fans and supporters of other clubs looking to pay their respects.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support.

Liverpool forward Mo Salah said the loss has made the prospect of returning to the club frightening.

He shared a black and white picture of him and Jota hugging on the pitch on social media, saying: “I am truly lost for words.

“Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.

“Teammates come and go but not like this.

It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.”

It is believed a flight has been chartered by the club to bring the players to the the forward’s funeral.

Reports in Portugal say the players, most of whom are still on summer holiday, are expected to attend but Liverpool have yet to confirm arrangements.

In Belfast, Liverpool supporters gathered to lay flowers outside the club’s city centre merchandise store.

The store was closed on Friday as a mark of respect, with cards and flowers laid in his honour.

A minute’s silence was also held in Jota’s memory at the Women’s Euros match between Denmark and Sweden in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday evening.

Portuguese tennis star Francisco Cabral paid his own tribute to the Liverpool forward, donning a black ribbon during his Wimbledon doubles match on Friday with partner Lucas Miedler.

Speaking shortly afterwards, Cabral revealed he chose the ribbon after Wimbledon officials refused a request to allow him to wear a black armband.

“Yesterday the idea of wearing a black strap came up – that was not allowed,” he said.

“I asked for permission to use the black ribbon and they let me play with it.

“It was an honour – it was not for the best reason.

He was an inspiration not only for me but for the country in general.

“He made so much in the sport and conquered so much in my life.

If I helped one per cent for the family I will be super happy.”

Cabral and Miedler lost their match to Czech pair Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl in straight sets.

Wimbledon’s all-white dress code has been in place for 148 years, and visible tributes are rarely granted.

Liverpool fan and British doubles player, Neal Skupski, had also brought a black armband for his match on Thursday but opted not to wear it, after learning of the death of his grandmother shortly after coming off court.

He suggested he may wear one later in the tournament, saying: “Maybe in the next couple of days.”

Meanwhile, police in Spain have said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking.

A source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed “a possible speeding incident” was being looked at.

Photographs from the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road, including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle.

It is understood no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Liverpool FC has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message.