Diogo Jota’s widow pays tribute on daughter’s first birthday
Rute Cardoso commemorated the first birthday of her daughter with an emotional social media post featuring the late Liverpool star Diogo Jota, reports BritPanorama.
Sharing multiple photographs on Instagram, she reflected on their time together. The caption read “A whole year,” accompanied by heart and star emojis.
The images included a poignant photograph of Jota carrying their newborn from the hospital a year ago, alongside a family portrait taken on the pitch at Anfield. One particularly touching image showcased the footballer cradling his baby daughter, while another captured him with Rute, both dressed in matching pink outfits.
The 28-year-old forward tragically lost his life in a road accident in July, just 11 days after marrying Rute. The crash occurred when the Lamborghini he was traveling in suffered a tyre failure and caught fire. Jota was returning to the UK from Portugal for Liverpool’s pre-season preparations, and his brother, Andre Silva, also died in the accident.
The football community expressed widespread shock and grief, with many prominent figures offering condolences to Rute and their children. Jota and Rute had been together for 13 years and had three children: two sons, Dinis and Duarte, and their daughter. Jota announced Rute’s pregnancy during Euro 2024 by placing a football underneath his shirt after scoring, although the goal was later disallowed.
After relocating to Merseyside in 2020, the couple celebrated their wedding with heartfelt messages. Rute later shared a post marking their one-month anniversary, embodying their commitment. In tribute to Jota, Liverpool Football Club permanently retired his number 20 jersey across all squads, and held a minute’s silence before their opening Premier League match against Bournemouth, which Jota’s family attended.
Supporters have maintained their tributes throughout the season, applauding and singing Jota’s song at the 20-minute mark during home matches at Anfield. Such gestures highlight the enduring impact the Portuguese international made while at Liverpool.
As Rute’s birthday post attracted heartfelt responses, it served as a reminder of the profound loss felt by many. Comments like, “Wish he was still here to raise his baby girl. We will never forget you, Diogo,” reflect the indelible mark Jota left on both his family and the wider community.
