Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, has penned an emotional letter to Andy Robertson as she hailed the ex-Liverpool star's World Cup achievement and claimed his former team-mate would be with him in spirit
Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota enjoyed a close bond at Liverpool
Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota enjoyed a close bond at Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC)
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Andy Robertson has received a heartfelt letter from Diogo Jota's wife, who said "you’ll be taking his dream with you" as he prepares to lead Scotland out at the World Cup.
The two ex-Liverpool stars were incredibly close and Jota's shocking death last summer stunned everyone, but particularly those closest to him. Robertson had been present at Jota's wedding to Rute Cardoso just 11 days before his passing and the Scot was one of the tragic Portugese's best friends at Anfield.
Robertson, like several of the Liverpool squad, are still carrying the pain of Jota's loss and the left-back was in tears on the Hampden Park pitch when Steve Clarke’s side qualified for the World Cup in November against Denmark.
Jota would've been certain to play for Portugal at the tournament this summer had he still been with us, but his wife declared that Robertson would carry the dream for them both in an emotional letter.
As part of FIFA’s "Letters That Unite" series, he received a note from Jota’s wife wrote to Robertson, saying: “Andy, I’m 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 FIFA World Cup was one of those dreams. When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.
“By achieving that moment, you won’t be going alone; you’ll be taking his dream with you too. When you step onto the pitch, I know it won’t be just you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“So, today I want to 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. He would be and is incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him. With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute.”
Andy Robertson will lead Scotland at this summer's World Cup
Andy Robertson will lead Scotland at this summer's World Cup(Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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Scotland begin their World Cup efforts against Haiti and Robertson, who has just left Liverpool for Tottenham, penned a response where he admitted the last World Cup was what really bought him and Jota close.
He said: “It’s amazing of Rute to 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 they had. I’d been to their wedding, celebrated trophies with her and Jots. Then I saw how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her, when Jots left us.
“Thank you, that letter will stay with me for a very long time. And we've got to carry him with us. We will always make sure that his name will never be forgotten, that his memories will always be cherished. The last World Cup was when me and Jots really became close. He missed out because of injury. Obviously, Scotland never qualified.
“We spoke so much about what it would mean to us both to be at the next World Cup. That was the aim for both of us, to get to America.
“I’m just gutted that it was taken away from him. But obviously I'll carry him in my heart and I know he'll be with me come the first game, the second game, the third game - and hopefully beyond that. He’s always there. 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.”
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