Rute Cardoso, widow of former Portugal forward Diogo Jota, has appealed to Scotland captain Andrew Robertson to carry her late husband’s World Cup aspirations into the tournament.
Jota died in a car accident in July at the age of 28, shortly after helping Portugal qualify for the World Cup. Although he earned 49 international caps, injury ruled him out of the 2022 tournament, leaving him without a World Cup appearance.
In a heartfelt letter published by FIFA, Cardoso reflected on the strong bond between Jota and Robertson, who were teammates at Liverpool, and the shared ambition they had of competing on football’s biggest stage.
“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,” Cardoso wrote.
“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.”
She said Robertson’s remarks after Scotland secured qualification in November reminded her of Jota’s enduring presence.
“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,” she said.
She added: “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 on to 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.”
Cardoso also expressed gratitude to Robertson for continuing to keep Jota’s memory alive.
“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,” she wrote.
