Ruben Neves Regrets Ignoring Diogo Jota’s Warning Before Tragic Car Crash and Pays Heartfelt Tribute at Funeral

Ruben Neves was among the mourners in Gondomar on Saturday morning, attending the emotional funeral of his close friend, Diogo Jota, and Jota's brother, Andre Silva, who tragically lost their lives in a horrific car accident. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, has left the football world in deep shock and mourning.

The loss of these two young men—Jota, 28, and Andre, 26—has left a gaping hole in the hearts of their families, friends, and the global football community.

Ruben Neves, who shared a long and meaningful history with Jota, was visibly devastated by the loss. The two had been teammates at FC Porto and later moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers during the same transfer window, forging a bond that went far beyond the football pitch.

Neves, who now plays for Al Hilal, made the emotional journey back to Portugal just hours after playing in the Club World Cup in America on Friday night. Despite the physical and emotional toll of the journey, Neves knew he had to be there to pay his respects to his dear friend.

Neves was not alone in his grief. Joao Cancelo, another of Jota’s Portugal teammates and also a current player at Al Hilal, joined him at the funeral, and both were visibly emotional during a minute of silence held in Jota's honor before their Club World Cup quarter-final match against Fluminense.

Liverpool players and staff, including manager Arne Slot and captain Virgil van Dijk, also made the journey to Gondomar to attend the funeral and pay their tributes to Jota and Andre.

The funeral took place at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, in the town of Gondomar near Porto, where the brothers were laid to rest in a private ceremony. Hundreds of locals gathered outside the church, paying their respects to the fallen players.

The brothers’ coffins were carried into the church, accompanied by a tolling church bell and the applause of the mourners, who embraced one another in their grief.

In the days following the tragic accident, messages of support and sorrow poured in from around the world. Neves, in particular, has been vocal about his grief and the painful regrets he now carries. In a heartfelt message, Neves shared his feelings, saying, "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."

The message referred to a conversation Neves had with Jota shortly before the accident. According to Neves, Jota had called him and mentioned a dream he had, a dream that seemed to foreshadow something ominous.

Jota had reportedly shared his concerns with Neves, but Neves, not thinking much of it at the time, brushed it off. Now, in the wake of Jota’s tragic death, Neves can't help but feel immense regret for not paying more attention to his friend’s warning.

Jota had dreamt of something unsettling, a feeling that something bad was going to happen. It was a fleeting moment, one that Neves didn’t take seriously at the time.

However, now, as he stands at his friend’s funeral, Neves cannot help but feel a deep sense of guilt. He shared this sorrowful reflection in his tribute, acknowledging that perhaps, had he listened more closely, things might have been different.

Despite the guilt and the pain, Neves’s tribute to his friend was filled with love and gratitude. "More than a friendship, we're family," Neves wrote. "And we won’t stop being that just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us."

Neves continued, expressing his deep bond with Jota, one that transcended football and became a true brotherhood. "When I go to the national team, you will continue to be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane... you will always be there with me, as usual," Neves said, speaking of the indelible presence Jota will always have in his heart.

Neves’s message was a promise to keep Jota’s memory alive. "Let's keep laughing, making plans, sharing our life with each other," Neves wrote. "I’m going to make sure you're always present and I’ll make sure that your loved ones never lack anything while you're there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us."

The heartfelt words reflect the closeness of their relationship and the immense sense of loss that Neves is now experiencing.

Neves ended his tribute by referring to Jota as his "favourite lemonade" and adding, "Amo-te" (I love you). These words captured the playful yet sincere connection they shared, a friendship that had withstood the test of time and distance.

The funeral was not only attended by Neves and fellow Al Hilal teammates, but also by numerous members of Jota’s football family. Liverpool manager Arne Slot, captain Virgil van Dijk, and several of Jota’s teammates, including Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley, Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, Darwin Nunez, and Joe Gomez, made the journey to Portugal to honor Jota’s memory.

Also present were Jota’s Portugal teammates, including Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, Joao Felix and Renato Veiga of Chelsea, Nelson Semedo from Wolves, Joao Moutinho, Rui Patricio, and former Liverpool player Fabinho.

The outpouring of support from the football community has been overwhelming, a testament to the impact Jota had on those around him. His life was tragically cut short, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved him and the memories he created on and off the field.

The tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva has left an indelible mark on the football world. The brothers’ passing came just days after Diogo’s wedding to his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, a woman who now faces the impossible task of raising their three children without their father.

Diogo Jota, who had so much more to give to the world, was taken far too soon, leaving behind a grieving family and countless friends who will forever remember him.

As the football world mourns, Ruben Neves’s tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the deep bonds formed through the beautiful game. Neves, still grappling with his grief, has made a promise to ensure Jota’s legacy endures.

The two friends will continue to walk side by side, even though one of them is now gone. The memories they shared will live on, and Jota will always remain in Neves’s heart, as he will in the hearts of all who knew him.