• Diogo Jota’s widow writes emotional letter to Scotland captain Andrew Robertson ahead of World Cup
• Portugal striker Jota died in road accident aged 28 after helping his country qualify for tournament
• Robertson and Jota shared dream of playing at World Cup after both missed 2022 event
• Scotland return to World Cup finals for first time since 1998, face Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C
• Defender Robertson joined Tottenham Hotspur from Liverpool at the end of last season

Rute Cardoso, the widow of Portugal forward Diogo Jota, has sent a moving message to Scotland captain Andrew Robertson. She has asked him to keep her late husband’s memory close when he leads his country at the World Cup finals.

Jota passed away at the age of 28 in a road accident last July. This happened shortly after he helped Portugal secure their place at the tournament. The former Liverpool star earned 49 international caps but never appeared at a World Cup. He missed the 2022 competition because of a calf injury.

Robertson and Jota were close friends during their time together at Liverpool. Both players had long conversations about their dream of playing in football’s biggest tournament. Scotland failed to qualify for the 2022 event, while Jota sat out through injury.

When Scotland booked their place at this year’s finals last November, Robertson spoke about his former team-mate. “I could not stop thinking about my friend Diogo Jota today,” the defender said. “We talked so much about the World Cup. He missed the last one with Portugal and I missed it with Scotland. I know he is smiling down on me today.”

Now Jota’s widow has written directly to Robertson in a letter published by FIFA. Cardoso, who has three children with the late footballer, thanked the Scotland skipper for honouring their friendship.

“Diogo spoke about you often,” she wrote. “He talked about your friendship, the battles you fought side by side, the challenges, the laughter, and your football conversations. The World Cup was a shared dream. You both cared about it with the same passion you showed on the pitch.”

She added: “When I heard your words after Scotland qualified, I knew Diogo never truly left the pitch. You will not go to the World Cup alone. You will carry his dream with you. When you walk onto the pitch, he will be there in your thoughts, your steps, and your heart.”

FIFA filmed Robertson as he read the letter. The defender, who recently moved from Liverpool to Tottenham Hotspur, said the message would stay with him forever.

The World Cup starts on 11 June and ends on 19 July. Scotland face Haiti in their opening match on Sunday. They will then play Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June in Group C.

Robertson promised to honour his friend’s memory during the tournament. “I will carry him in my heart,” he said. “He will be with me for the first game, the second game, the third game, and hopefully beyond. He is always there. We share memories that make us laugh and cry. This will be no different at such an emotional tournament. He will be at the front of my mind. I am not just playing for me. I am playing for both of us.”