Diogo Jota’s widow has urged Scotland captain Andy Robertson to live the World Cup dream of his former Liverpool teammate.
Robertson spoke of Jota immediately after leading Scotland to qualification for the first time since 1998, revealing how his late friend had been on his mind throughout the build-up to the victory over Denmark which clinched their place at the tournament.
The pair had spoken of their dream of making the finals as they trained together during the 2022 tournament after Jota missed out on the Portugal squad through injury.
While his Scotland teammates celebrated, an emotional Robertson spoke of his grief that Jota would not be able to join him, four months after the 28-year-old died in a road accident that also killed his brother, Andre Silva.
Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, has written a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson ahead of the World Cup.
She thanks Robertson for his friendship, and for preserving Diogo's memory. Robertson adds he'll have Jota at the forefront of his mind.? pic.twitter.com/h5KsfPyCCx
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 8, 2026
In a letter to Robertson published by FIFA, Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said: “I am writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and, above all, pride.
“Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football… and about dreams.
“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.
“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - Wednesday, June 26, 2024: Portugal's Diogo Jota during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group F match between Georgia and Portugal at the Arena AufSchalke. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone. You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out, Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful.
“That’s how we do it here at home too. Every day. He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”
Robertson was filmed by FIFA reading out the letter and thanking his friend’s wife for her words.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, April 2, 2025: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates with team-mate Andy Robertson (R) after scoring the winning goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 246th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. Liverpool won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The 32-year-old, who is moving to Tottenham this summer, said: “It’s obviously amazing of Rute to even take the time, for what she’s going through, to write me a letter, but it just sums up the person that she is.
Thankfully, I got to know her and the amazing times that they had.
“That letter will stay with me for a very long time.”
The 32-year-old added: “I’ll carry him in my heart and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 4, 2025: Liverpool's Andy Robertson (L) and Diogo Jota during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.
“And that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind.
“I’m not only just playing for me, I’m playing for both of us.”