Diogo Jota‘s widow, Rute Cardoso, has spoken of the heartbreaking final message she sent her husband before he died in a car accident.
Jota tragically passed away in a crash with his brother, Andre Silva, on July 3 last year, leaving the football world stunned.
The Portuguese Liverpool player left behind his wife, Rute, and three children who have shown remarkable bravery in the nine months since his death.
A new biography on Jota, written by ex-footballer Jose Manuel Delgado, called ‘Nunca Mais e Muito Tempo’ (‘Never Again Is a Long Time’ in English) has now been released in Portugal.
Diogo Jota of Liverpool poses for a photograph with the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Speaking after reading an extract on V+Fama, presenter Isabel Figueira heartbreakingly discussed the final text Rute sent to Diogo.
“What shook me the most when reading an excerpt from the book is the way Rute narrates the last messages she sends him, which Diogo never receives,” Figueira said.
“She says she had just received the wedding video and she says ‘Love, when you stop, call me, because I have something here to show you,’ and it was this video.”
Meanwhile, a separate extract reveals Jota’s down-to-earth nature – something his teammates have been so keen to point out.
“Unlike most players, who like flashy cars, jewellery and watches, Diogo was never into that scene,” Rute said.
“The vehicles we had were enough for him.
“Perhaps because he was never very interested in cars, he took the opportunity to have the experience of driving a Ferrari, which, in fact, he returned on the morning of our wedding.
“Afterwards, he would rent the Lamborghini.”
PRESTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 13, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks visibly upset as he claps the Liverpool fans whilst the sing Diogo Jota's song after a pre-season friendly match between Preston North End FC and Liverpool FC at Deepdale. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jota’s death is still felt deeply at Liverpool, with Arne Slot and his players having to deal with a huge amount of grief this season.
He was an enormously popular figure, both among his teammates and the fanbase, and it is impossible to imagine what Rute and the children have gone through.
RIP, Diogo. Gone but never forgotten.