On a quiet side street by Capela da Ressurreicao, on the outskirts of Porto, the crowd had been building through the night.
Waiting for the saddest of homecomings.
And at 11.30pm last night, the tranquillity of the night was broken by dozens applauding as the hearse carrying the coffins of two footballing sons of Gondomar arrived.
Latest: Tributes paid to Liverpool foward Jota
It was exactly 23 hours since the car crash in northern Spain that killed Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
The tragedy has resonated around the world. But their loss is felt most painfully here in their hometowns.
A few minutes’ drive away at Gondomar Sport Club, the collection of flowers, scarves, jerseys and candles was growing outside the academy named after Jota.
Diogo Jota’s joyous final weeks make his death even more devastating to comprehend
Diogo Jota’s tragic final Instagram post after marrying childhood sweetheart
Diogo Jota dies latest: Liverpool manager Arne Slot says ‘sense of shock absolute’ after forward killed in car crash
It’s there I encountered a former teammate of the 28-year-old who went on to win every major English trophy with Liverpool.
Miguel Rocha was wearing one of Jota’s Number 20 Liverpool shirts and clutching a jersey from previous club, Wolves, gifted by his friend.
They played together here for a decade, through the youth ranks.
“Back then, every child dreams of going professional,” Rocha told Sky News. “But at the same time, we know it’s very difficult, but he got it.
“Me and my colleagues who played together back then, we were all very proud.
“This community of Gondomar, as well as Portugal, every time we saw Diogo Jota on the pitch, we felt very proud. Nothing but pride.”
Licínio Ribeiro Correia watched both brothers growing up at Gondomar and continued to spend time with them.
“We could see right away in Diogo that he was hungry for the ball,” he recalled. “When he played, the goals were a spectacle.
“Then he left here and went to Paços de Ferreira, he went to a bigger club and oh well, we lost Diogo.”
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
Read more from Sky News:
Liverpool fans react to Jota’s death
FIFA president pays tribute
Diogo Jota: From joy to devastation
But Jota never forgot his roots, sending a shirt back from England to Correia.
The forward’s last act in a Portugal shirt was helping his country to a second Nations League title.
He left Liverpool after a Premier League trophy parade and so many at the vigil came in the club’s red shirts.
One of them was Afonso Gama who has just completed the season playing for Gondomar’s under-19s.
Through the sadness, Gama reflected on seeing a player rise from such a modest, low-level club to the heights of the sport.
“He made us believe that’s possible,” Gama told Sky News. “We know it’s not for everybody. We have to work hard.
“And he was an inspiration for everybody who played here.”
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
