Diogo Jota’s family has made a plea to supporters during the Liverpool star’s funeral, which was attended by his club and national teammates.

The family of Diogo Jota has issued a brief statement during a media briefing as the Liverpool forward’s funeral takes place on Saturday. Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, tragically lost their lives in a car accident early Thursday morning. Initial police reports indicate that their vehicle experienced a tyre blowout while overtaking in Zamora, Spain, causing it to leave the road and catch fire.

The Spanish Guardia Civil confirmed that the victims were Jota and his brother, who played professionally in the Portuguese second division. The funeral is being held in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal.

A Liverpool delegation led by manager Arne Slot, along with captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Andy Robertson, attended the service. Several of Jota’s former teammates, including Fabinho, Thiago, and Jordan Henderson, as well as national team members like Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Neves, were also present, alongside Portugal’s coach Roberto Martinez.

Andre Villas-Boas, representing Jota’s former club FC Porto as president, joined Jota’s agent Jorge Mendes and Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro in Gondomar.

Before the service began, Jota’s family shared a statement through the media briefing, requesting that the ceremony remain private. A wake held on Friday attracted “hundreds” of attendees, and was described as “too intense.” To accommodate the crowd, the service is being broadcast outside on loudspeakers, with a designated area for people to gather. A private gathering for close family and friends occurred in Gondomar on Friday, which later turned into a public event as many queued to pay their respects.