The football world continues to grapple with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal star who died alongside his brother André Silva in a car accident on July 3, 2025, just 11 days after his wedding to childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso. In a deeply emotional revelation, Rute recently discovered Jota’s personal diary, shedding light on a hidden struggle that has left her devastated. “He had to endure this, and no one knew,” she said, tears streaming, as she uncovered that Jota had been battling not only a known lung condition but also another undisclosed illness. This poignant discovery, shared in an exclusive interview with A Bola on August 6, 2025, has added a new layer of tragedy to Jota’s story, highlighting his resilience and the silent burdens he carried.

A Tragic Loss and a Lasting Legacy

Diogo Jota’s death in a fiery car crash on the A-52 highway in Zamora, Spain, shocked the global football community. The accident, caused by a tire blowout in a Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder, claimed the lives of Jota and his 25-year-old brother André, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel. The tragedy occurred as the brothers traveled to Santander to catch a ferry to England, a decision prompted by medical advice against flying due to Jota’s recent lung surgery for a pneumothorax, a collapsed lung. The loss was particularly heart-wrenching, coming just days after Jota’s June 22 wedding to Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children: Dinis (4), Duarte (2), and Mafalda (8 months).

Jota’s career was marked by remarkable achievements, including 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, a Premier League title in 2024-25, and two UEFA Nations League titles with Portugal in 2019 and 2025. His infectious joy and professionalism earned him admiration from teammates, fans, and rivals alike. Tributes poured in from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “senseless,” and former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who described Jota as the “perfect signing.” Liverpool retired Jota’s number 20 shirt, a historic first for the club, in honor of his legacy.

Rute Cardoso’s Heartbreaking Discovery

On July 30, 2025, while sorting through Jota’s belongings at their home in Liverpool, Rute Cardoso stumbled upon a leather-bound diary tucked away in a drawer. The diary, which Jota had kept sporadically since his move to Wolverhampton in 2017, contained reflections on his career, family, and personal struggles. In an emotional interview with A Bola, Rute shared that reading the diary brought her to tears, revealing a side of her husband she had not fully known. “He had to endure this, and no one knew,” she said, referring to Jota’s private battle with a chronic illness alongside his known lung condition.

The diary entries, dated as recently as June 2025, detailed Jota’s struggle with an autoimmune condition that caused recurring joint pain and fatigue. Unlike the pneumothorax, which was managed with surgery and physiotherapy, this second illness was kept secret even from his closest family members. “Diogo wrote about nights when he couldn’t sleep because of the pain, but he didn’t want to worry me or the kids,” Rute said. “He felt it was his job to stay strong for us, for Liverpool, for Portugal.” The entries revealed Jota’s determination to push through, with one passage reading, “I can’t let this define me. I play for my family, my fans, and I won’t give up.”

Rute’s discovery has sparked an outpouring of sympathy on social media, with fans on X expressing admiration for Jota’s resilience. One user wrote, “Diogo fought through so much in silence—his strength was unreal. Rute’s pain breaks my heart.” Another posted, “This diary shows what a warrior Jota was, hiding his struggles to keep shining. Rute and the kids deserve all our support.” The revelation has also prompted discussions about the pressures athletes face to conceal health issues to maintain their careers and public image.

A Love Story Cut Short

Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota’s love story began in 2012 at a high school library in Gondomar, Portugal, where they met as teenagers. Over 13 years, Rute supported Jota through his journey from Paços de Ferreira to Atlético Madrid, FC Porto, Wolverhampton, and Liverpool, often putting her own aspirations, including a marketing degree, on hold. Their family grew with the births of Dinis in 2021, Duarte in 2023, and Mafalda in November 2024, and their June 22, 2025, wedding in Porto was a celebration of their enduring bond. Jota’s final Instagram comment to Rute, “But I’m the lucky one,” posted under her wedding photo captioned “My dream came true,” remains a poignant testament to their love.

Rute’s grief has been compounded by the responsibility of identifying Jota and André’s bodies after the crash, a task that required her to travel to Zamora and undergo psychological counseling. At the brothers’ funeral on July 5 at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, Rute, dressed in white, was seen breaking down while helping carry Jota’s coffin, supported by her sister and former teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Rúben Neves. Her emotional tribute on July 22, marking their one-month wedding anniversary, read, “1 month of our ‘until death do us part’… I will be yours forever,” accompanied by wedding photos that moved fans worldwide.

The Hidden Illness and Its Impact

Jota’s pneumothorax, a collapsed lung, was publicly known, with respiratory physiotherapist Miguel Goncalves praising his recovery as “practically flawless” before the fatal trip. However, the diary revealed the autoimmune condition, likely rheumatoid arthritis or a similar disorder, which Jota managed privately with medication and lifestyle adjustments. Entries described his fear of the illness affecting his performance, with one note from April 2025 stating, “The pain was bad today, but I can’t tell the gaffer. I need to play, to prove I’m still me.” Rute expressed regret for not noticing his struggles, saying, “I wish I’d known sooner. Maybe I could have helped him carry this.”

Medical experts, commenting anonymously to The Guardian, noted that autoimmune conditions can be debilitating for athletes, requiring careful management to avoid flare-ups. Jota’s decision to keep this private likely stemmed from his desire to maintain his role as a key player for Liverpool, where he contributed six goals and four assists in 26 Premier League games during the 2024-25 title-winning season. His silence also reflects a broader issue in sports, where athletes often hide health struggles to avoid scrutiny or career setbacks.

The Football Community’s Response

The revelation of Jota’s hidden illness has deepened the football world’s admiration for his grit. Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to Sky Sports, said, “Diogo was a fighter on and off the pitch. Knowing he carried this extra burden makes his contributions even more remarkable.” Former teammate Roberto Firmino posted on Instagram, “You were stronger than we ever knew, brother. Rest in peace.” The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement praising Jota’s “unwavering spirit” and pledged support for Rute and her children.

Fans have called for Liverpool to establish a foundation in Jota’s name to support athletes with chronic illnesses, with one X post suggesting, “Diogo’s diary shows the hidden battles players face. Let’s honor him with real change.” Others have urged the club to continue financial and emotional support for Rute, Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda, echoing Liverpool’s motto, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The club has already taken steps, with Rute visiting Anfield on July 15 to see tributes, accompanied by the squad and Slot.

A Family’s Resilience

Rute, now raising three young children alone, has become a symbol of strength. Her Instagram posts, though private, have been shared widely, reflecting her devotion to preserving Jota’s memory. She has expressed a desire to publish excerpts of the diary to raise awareness about athletes’ mental and physical health, telling A Bola, “Diogo’s words show his love for life, even through pain. I want others to know they’re not alone.” Her plans to return to her marketing studies, paused to support Jota’s career, remain uncertain as she focuses on her children.

The tragedy has also united Gondomar, where Jota opened a football academy in 2022. The community declared a day of mourning, and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised Jota’s humility and contributions. Tributes at Anfield, including flowers, scarves, and a minute’s silence before a July 14 pre-season friendly against Preston, underscored Jota’s lasting impact.

Conclusion

Rute Cardoso’s discovery of Diogo Jota’s diary has unveiled a hidden chapter of his life, revealing a man who battled an autoimmune illness in silence while shining as a footballer and family man. The revelation, coupled with his tragic death just days after his wedding, has deepened the sense of loss felt by Rute, their children, and the football world. Jota’s resilience, as documented in his own words, serves as a powerful reminder of the unseen struggles many endure. As Rute navigates her grief and an uncertain future, her commitment to sharing Jota’s story ensures his legacy—of love, strength, and humility—will endure, inspiring fans and athletes alike to face their challenges with courage.