Andy Robertson sent emotional letter by Diogo Jota’s wife | Football | Sport

Andy Robertson has delivered a heartfelt reading of a letter written by Diogo Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The former Liverpool left-back shared a close bond with Jota, who tragically lost his life in a car crash last summer.

Jota, 28, died in the early hours of July 3, 2025 in Zamora, Spain, along with his brother Andre. The devastating incident prompted an overwhelming wave of tributes from around the globe as those closest to Jota struggled to come to terms with his loss. Floral tributes were laid outside Anfield shortly after the news was confirmed.

Jota’s sons also joined Liverpool and Wolves players at an emotional Anfield on Boxing Day last year, ahead of the first encounter between the forward’s two English clubs since his untimely passing. Cardoso – whom he had married just a fortnight before the fatal crash – watched from the stands as the couple’s sons Dinis and Duarte proudly served as mascots.

Robertson, who is widely expected to complete a move to Tottenham following the World Cup, has disclosed that Cardoso wrote to him personally – sharing deeply moving words about how greatly Jota cherished his friendship with his Reds team-mate. She also urged the 32-year-old to fulfil his dream of representing Scotland at the World Cup, and to do so in honour of both himself and Jota.

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Reading out the letter in a video on FIFA’s YouTube channel, Robertson said: “Andy I’m writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and above all pride. Diogo [Jota] 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 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. 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. With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute Cardoso.” The Scotland captain revealed how he and his former Anfield colleague would frequently discuss their shared ambition of reaching the World Cup. The defender also explained how they would contemplate what participating in football’s grandest tournament would represent for both of them.

After reading the letter, Robertson said: “It’s obviously amazing of Rute to even 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 that they had. Obviously, I’d been to their wedding, celebrated trophies with her and Jots [Jota].

“But then obviously I’ve seen how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her, when obviously Jots left us. Just, thank you. That letter will stay with me for a very long time. And we’ve just 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 like Rute says in there, the dreams that we’d shared of trying to be at the World Cup.

“Obviously, I think [the] 2022 World Cup was when me and Jots really became close. He missed out because of injury. Obviously, Scotland never qualified. And I think we just spoke so much about what it would mean to us both to be at the next World Cup, and that was the aim for both of us, to get to America.

“And obviously, I’m just gutted that was taken away from him. But I think obviously I’ll carry him in my heart, and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game, and hopefully beyond that. And he’s always there. He’s always something we think about.

“The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry. I think that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. 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.”