News Focus
- Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota’s widow, has written a touching letter to Scotland captain Andrew Robertson
- The former Liverpool teammates shared a dream of playing at the World Cup together
- Jota died in a car accident last year aged 28 before he could fulfil his World Cup ambition
- Robertson recently completed a transfer from Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur
- Scotland will face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C at the tournament
Scotland skipper Andrew Robertson has received an emotional message from the widow of his former Liverpool colleague Diogo Jota. Rute Cardoso asked the defender to keep her late husband’s memory alive during the World Cup finals.
Jota passed away at 28 years old in a road accident last July. The Portugal international had helped his country secure a place at the global tournament but did not live to compete. He earned 49 international appearances but missed the 2022 edition through injury, leaving the upcoming competition as his unfulfilled dream.
Robertson and Jota developed a close bond during their time together at Anfield. The pair often discussed their shared ambition of appearing on football’s biggest stage. Scotland secured their spot at the finals in November, ending a long wait since their last appearance in 1998.
FIFA published the letter from Cardoso, who is mother to Jota’s three children. She wrote about the strong friendship between the two players. She mentioned their battles on the training pitch, their laughter, and their conversations about football ambitions.
“Diogo spoke about you often,” she told Robertson. “You shared the same passion when you stepped onto the pitch. The World Cup was a dream you both held.”
She explained that Robertson’s qualification success showed that Jota’s spirit remains present in the sport. She thanked the left-back for remembering her husband and transforming grief into strength.
The Scotland captain recorded a video for FIFA where he read the message. He stated that the words would remain with him throughout his career. Robertson recently transferred from Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur following the season’s conclusion.
The World Cup begins on 11 June and concludes on 19 July. Scotland compete in Group C against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. This marks their first participation in the tournament for 28 years.
Robertson promised to honour his friend throughout the competition. “I will carry him in my heart for every match,” he stated. “He is always present in my thoughts. We share memories that make us laugh and cry.”
The defender added that he plays for both himself and Jota. He knows his friend will be at the front of his mind during the emotional tournament.