Liverpool star Diogo Jota‘s death at just 28 has heartbreakingly left his wife – who he had wed just two weeks earlier, after being together for 12 years – a widow.
Rute Cardoso, 28, who is the mother of his three children, is the beloved Portuguese athlete’s high school sweetheart and has been by his side since before his thriving career kicked off.
He had just recently described himself as the luckiest man in the world – following the nuptials in his hometown, Porto, last month.
Her social media account, which has some 55,900 followers, documented the young family’s many exciting travels and evolution from fresh-faced youngsters to beautiful parents to Dinis, four, and two other babies whose names are not known, aged two and eight months.
Diogo’s devastating passing comes after his Lamborghini careered off a road in northern Spain, as the forward was travelling in the supercar with his fellow footballer brother Andre, 26, who also died in the crash.
The tyre is believed to have blown out while overtaking on the A-52 around 70 miles west of the historic city of Valladolid. The car came off the road, crashed and then burst into flames in the early hours of this morning.
Rute and Diogo posted on social media just 20 hours earlier, Rute looking beaming as a bride in a ‘day they will never forget’ and a ‘dream come true’. Five days ago, the couple also shared snaps from the religious ceremony, writing: ‘Yes to forever’.
Elsewhere, images from her social media profile show the kids huddling up to their dad on the football pitch, happy couple selfies and sweet images of their three beagles.
Her social media account, which has some 55,900 followers, documented the young family’s many exciting travels and evolution from fresh-faced youngsters to beautiful parents to Dinis, four, and two other babies whose named are not known, aged two and eight months
Rute Cardoso, 28, who is the mother of his three children, is the beloved Portuguese athlete’s highs cool sweetheart and has been by his side since the star. Both pictured in 2012
Rute is also fond of documenting the family’s many travels. In March, they ventured to Lapland, Finland.
The family grinned as they wrapped up warm to brave the crunchy snow, and huddled around a campfire.
The pair have also shared their pregnancy reveals with the world on Rute’s Instagram.
The mother-of-three’s social media goes back as far 2013 – when both would have been about 16 – showing the baby faced teenagers posing for photos together.
Ever supportive, Rute was making appearances at his football games when Diogo was making his start in local clubs.
The fatal incident which saw Diogo lose his life occurred on the A-52 in the province of Zamora. The road in Spain is a key route taken by drivers leaving northern Portugal.
Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the crash and two fatalities at around 12.35am on Thursday morning.
‘The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire,’ a statement read.
‘1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident.
‘From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene’.
The tragic news comes just two weeks after Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto, his home city. The family pictured last year
Rute, pictured in 2021, has cheered the Liverpool football star on since they were fresh-faced teens
Rute, pictured with Diogo in 2014, has been by his side since the pair attended high school together
He had just recently described himself as the luckiest man in the world – following the nuptials. Both in 2017
The couple had just tied the knot earlier this year. The young happy family pictured together in 2023
The couple have three children, pictured on the Anfield pitch in May after winning the Premier League
Diogo’s devastating passing comes after his Lamborghini careered off a road in northern Spain , as the forward was travelling in the super car with his fellow footballer brother Andre, 26, who also died in the crash. Both pictured
The Portuguese national football team have said they are ‘devastated’ by the death of Liverpool forward Diogo, adding that he ‘was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents’.
His death was confirmed by Pedro Proenca, head of the Portuguese Football Federation.
He said in a statement: ‘The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.
‘Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
‘On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.
‘The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.
‘Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy’.
Jota starred for Liverpool as they won the Premier League title in May and also played for Portugal’s national team and helped it win the Nations League last month.
His brother played with Portuguese club Penafiel in the lower divisions.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and won three major trophies with the Merseyside club – including the Premier League title last season.
The sporting world is in a state of shock and mourning, with tributes flooding in.
Gary Neville wrote on X: ‘That is heartbreaking news on Diogo Jota and his brother. All my love and best wishes to his family.’
Diogo Jota’s death has led to an outpouring of tributes from the sporting world and beyond. Pictured in June
Gary Neville shared his reaction to the tragic news of Jota’s death along with his brother, Andre
Jamie Carragher took to Instagram to share his reaction to the devastating news
He said his thoughts were particularly with the family Jota has left behind
David De Gea and Rio Ferdinand also shared tributes on social media, noting their ‘heartbreak’ for the loss
Jota had reportedly been travelling in a car with his brother Andre, who is also a 26-year-old footballer, when the vehicle went off road and the tragic news comes just two weeks after Jota married his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso in Porto.
Jamie Carragher wrote: ‘Absolutely devastated by the sad news about Diogo Jota Thoughts are with his wife Rute & their three kids.’
Jota’s Portuguese and former Wolves team-mate Joao Neves added: ‘They say we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.’
Former England striker Alan Shearer simply posted the word ‘heartbreaking’, while Stan Collymore described the news as ‘unfathomable’.
‘I’m sure like many in the football family there’s just a profound sense of shock, sadness and disbelief at the news of Diogo Jota’s death at the unfathomably young age of 28. Newly married too,’ he said.
‘Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends and everyone at Liverpool.’
Rivalries were of course put aside, with ex-Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea saying: ‘Sometimes life is very cruel,’ and Rio Ferdinand sharing: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers go out to Diogo Jota, Andre Silva, their family & friends!’
Jota’s former club Porto were the first of his old sides to offer their thoughts, writing: ‘FC Porto is in mourning. It is with shock and deep sorrow that we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth ranks. Rest in peace.’
And legendary Portugal defender Pepe spoke about the loss of his friend.
‘It was with great sadness that I received the news of the passing of Diogo Jota and his brother André. A premature, painful loss, which leaves us all poorer — as colleagues, as friends and as football lovers. In this moment of deep grief, I send my most sincere condolences to their family, friends and all who loved them. May they find strength in the love and memories they left behind. May they rest in peace,’ he wrote.’
And former Portugal manager Fernando Santos said the news had rendered him speechless.
He wrote: ‘I am shocked, speechless. It is a very sad moment for the family. It is a sad moment for everyone, especially for those who worked with him because everyone liked him.’
Clubs across the continent added their own tributes, including Sporting Lisbon, Braga and Napoli.
