Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has given an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of his country’s World Cup campaign.
Jota would have been there. It was a dream of his that he often spoke of with Andy Robertson.
As well as Liverpool, Jota’s death also hit the Portugal team hard. His final professional game, less than a month before his death, saw him win the Nations League for his country.
Ahead of their World Cup campaign, Jota’s national team coach, Martinez, has spoken about how the late player’s legacy will be an inspiration to the team.
Diogo Costa of Portugal is mobbed by Nelson Semedo of Portugal, Renato Veiga of Portugal, Diogo Jota of Portugal , Ruben Neves of Portugal after the penalty shootout of the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. © diebilderwelt / Alamy Live News
“Diogo is our light,” Martinez told the Athletic.
“Diogo is our reference of wanting to do or needing to do what his dream was, which was winning titles for Portugal, like he did winning the Nations League.
“He was a big part of what we built in the dressing room.
“He wanted to win the World Cup so it becomes a bit of a responsibility, an example, because Diogo was the pure example of believing in whatever could be possible, always with that tenacity, always finding the answer in the right moment in the difficult moment in the game.
“The way that he found the way against Denmark in the quarter-finals was the difference in the Nations League campaign.
“So, for us, he’s become a real focus and probably an extra bit of energy and light in those difficult moments that you have as a football team, as a national team, and we need to use his inspiration until the end because he’s part of us.”
Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson shared the same World Cup excitement
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)
After Scotland qualified for the World Cup with a victory over Denmark in November, Robertson broke down when talking about how he and Jota used to talk about going to the tournament.
The left-back said: “I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today. We spoke so much about the World Cup.
“He missed out last time because of injury, I missed out because Scotland didn’t qualify and we always discussed what it would be like going to the World Cup.”
Just ahead of the tournament’s beginning, Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, sent a touching letter to Robertson which read:
“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.
“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 onto 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.”