In the quiet streets of Gondomar, Portugal, where the echoes of a vibrant football legacy still linger, another wave of grief has struck the family of Diogo Jota. Just one month after the tragic loss of the Liverpool FC star and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, a beloved member of their household has also passed away: Luna, Diogo’s cherished beagle and the dog he loved most. Refusing to eat and visibly despondent since her owner’s death, Luna’s heart-wrenching decline has touched the world, a poignant symbol of loyalty and loss that has left fans, family, and friends weeping anew.
The story of Luna’s passing emerged from Porto in early August 2025, shared through a tearful social media post by Rute Cardoso, Diogo’s widow. “Our Luna waited for you, but you couldn’t come home,” Rute wrote, alongside a photo of the beagle curled up on Diogo’s favorite armchair, her eyes heavy with sorrow. The post, which quickly went viral, detailed how Luna, one of three family dogs, had stopped eating and retreated to Diogo’s closet, where she lay beside his football boots, as if waiting for his return. Her death, confirmed by a veterinarian as resulting from grief-induced complications, has become a heartrending chapter in the aftermath of Diogo’s tragedy, resonating with millions who see in Luna’s devotion a mirror of their own mourning.
Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 26, perished when their Lamborghini suffered a tire blowout on Spain’s A-52 highway, veering off the road and bursting into flames. The accident, just 11 days after Diogo’s wedding to Rute, sent shockwaves through the football world. Diogo, a cornerstone of Liverpool’s attack, was celebrated for his electrifying goals and relentless spirit, while André was carving a promising career at FC Penafiel. Their deaths left Rute, their three children—Dinis, Mia, and João—and a global fanbase grappling with loss. But it was the behavior of the family’s three beagles—Luna, Milo, and Bella—that added an unexpected layer of poignancy.
Luna, the eldest of the trio, was Diogo’s constant companion. Adopted in 2019 during his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, she appeared frequently in his social media posts, often napping on his lap or chasing a ball in their garden. “She was his shadow,” Rute shared in an earlier interview, recalling how Luna would wait by the door for Diogo after matches, her tail wagging furiously. The dog featured in family milestones—Christmas photos, wedding celebrations, even a playful Instagram post from December 2024 where she wore a tiny Liverpool jersey. Diogo once called her “my peace after the chaos of the pitch,” a sentiment that now underscores the depth of her grief.
Following the crash, reports surfaced of the dogs’ distress, with Luna, Milo, and Bella refusing food and lingering by Diogo’s grave during a private memorial on July 6. Witnesses described Luna lying motionless beside the headstone, her whimpers piercing the silence. “She knew he was gone,” a family friend recounted. “It was like she was saying goodbye.” While Milo and Bella slowly began eating again, Luna’s condition worsened. Rute, supported by a veterinarian and grief counselors, tried coaxing her with treats and walks, but Luna retreated further, spending hours in Diogo’s closet, clutching one of his match boots. By early August, her health declined rapidly, and she passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by Rute and the children.
The news of Luna’s death struck a chord worldwide. Social media overflowed with tributes, with fans sharing photos of Luna from Diogo’s posts, her soulful eyes now a symbol of loyalty. “I’m crying for a dog I never met,” one fan wrote, while another posted, “Luna loved Diogo so much she couldn’t stay without him.” The hashtag #ForeverLuna trended alongside #DiogoJota, as supporters from Liverpool, Porto, and beyond expressed solidarity. A fan-made mural in Gondomar, depicting Diogo with Luna at his side, has become a pilgrimage site, adorned with flowers and dog treats.
For Rute, Luna’s passing is another layer of loss in an already unbearable month. At 28, she is navigating widowhood, motherhood, and public scrutiny. The crash investigation, which initially pointed to speeding but now leans toward mechanical failure, has been compounded by rumors of substances in Diogo’s system—likely pain medication—and financial irregularities involving offshore accounts. Rute has remained steadfast, dismissing tabloid speculation and focusing on her children and Diogo’s legacy. “Luna was part of our family,” she wrote. “Her heart broke like mine.”
The family’s other dogs, Milo and Bella, are slowly adjusting, though they still seek Diogo’s scent in his belongings. Rute has ensured their care, with veterinarians monitoring their health to prevent further loss. The children, too young to fully understand, sense the void. Dinis, four, asks why Luna “went to Papa,” while Mia and João cling to Rute for comfort. She’s leaned on family, including her parents and Diogo’s, as well as Liverpool’s support network, which has provided counseling and financial aid. Teammates like Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold have visited, sharing stories of Diogo’s love for Luna, who once greeted them at training sessions.
Luna’s story has sparked broader conversations about animal grief. Experts note that dogs, especially those as bonded as Luna was to Diogo, can suffer profound emotional distress, leading to physical decline. “Pets feel loss deeply,” a Porto-based veterinarian explained. “Luna’s refusal to eat was her mourning, a sign of her unbreakable bond.” Fans have responded by donating to animal shelters in Luna’s name, with Liverpool FC launching a charity drive to support pet welfare, inspired by her story.
Rute is channeling her grief into action, advancing plans for the Diogo Jota Youth Academy, a dream Diogo held to nurture young footballers in Gondomar. “Luna would’ve been there, chasing kids on the pitch,” Rute mused in a private moment. She’s planning a memorial for Diogo and André, with Luna’s name included, possibly incorporating a statue of the beagle at the academy. “It’s what Diogo would’ve wanted—for all his loves to be remembered,” she said.
The football community has rallied around the family. At Anfield, a recent tribute saw fans hold up banners with Luna’s image, while a minute’s applause at the 20-minute mark—Diogo’s jersey number—honored both him and his dog. Portuguese clubs, including FC Porto, have sent condolences, with a planned memorial match in September to benefit the academy. Rute’s social media, once filled with joyful family moments, now carries a somber tone, but her strength shines through. A recent post showed her with Milo and Bella at the park where she and Diogo fell in love, captioned, “We carry you both forward.”
Luna’s death has become a universal story of loyalty and loss. Her refusal to eat, her vigil by Diogo’s belongings, and her quiet passing have moved millions, reminding them of the bonds that transcend species. For Rute, Luna was more than a pet—she was a link to Diogo, a keeper of his memory. As she navigates an uncertain future, Rute holds onto the love that defined her life with Diogo and Luna. The beagle’s final act of devotion, waiting for a master who’d never return, has left an indelible mark, a tearful testament to a love that endures beyond the grave.
