Diogo Jota’s wife has shared a deeply emotional message on what would have been their one-month wedding anniversary, expressing her eternal love for her late husband.
The 28-year-old Liverpool forward and his 25-year-old brother, Andre Silva, tragically lost their lives in a car accident in Spain on July 3—a heartbreaking event that sent shockwaves through the football community.
Local authorities confirmed that the Lamborghini carrying the two brothers suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another car, causing it to veer off the A-52 motorway in Zamora, northwest Spain.
Only 11 days before the tragic crash, Jota had tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in Sao Cosme, his hometown in Porto. The ceremony was attended by close friends and family, including Liverpool teammates Andy Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Tragically, the Portugal international and his younger brother were laid to rest at the same location just two days after their passing.
In the days and weeks that followed, the global football community came together to mourn the loss, with heartbroken fans and players sharing their condolences with the family, friends, and loved ones across social media platforms.
Rute, Jota’s partner, returned to Instagram for the first time since the tragic car accident, posting three wedding day photos alongside a heartfelt 14-word message.
“1 month of our ‘until death do us part’ ,” she wrote.
“Forever, your white girl .”
Within just an hour, the emotional post had garnered over 200,000 likes, with Rute receiving an outpouring of love and support from countless well-wishers.
Earlier this month, Liverpool announced their intention to honour Diogo Jota’s legacy by retiring the No.20 shirt, paying tribute to the beloved forward who was instrumental in their Premier League title triumph last season.
The club plans to retire the number at all levels, including the academy and the women’s team.
A statement from Liverpool said: ‘After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy.
‘The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.’
Liverpool CEO Michael Edwards added: ‘As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.
‘It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
‘I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
‘By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.
‘Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
