The football world remains in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain. Jota, 28, left behind his wife of just two weeks, Rute Cardoso, and their three young children. In a heart-wrenching revelation shared on July 22, 2025, via Instagram, Rute disclosed the depths of her grief, admitting, “I’ve had to rely on sleeping pills to find any rest at night,” as she navigates the unbearable loss of her childhood sweetheart. The post, marking what would have been their one-month wedding anniversary, has resonated deeply with fans and the football community, shedding light on the profound personal toll of Jota’s sudden passing.
A Love Story Cut Short
Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso’s love story began as teenagers in Porto, Portugal, when they were just 15 and 16 years old. Starting as high school friends in 2013, their bond grew through shared dreams and challenges, with Rute supporting Jota’s meteoric rise from Paços de Ferreira to Porto, Atlético Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finally Liverpool, where he became a Premier League champion in the 2024/25 season. Their journey included welcoming three children—sons Dinis, 4, and Duarte, 2, and daughter Mafalda, 8 months—and culminated in a fairy-tale wedding on June 22, 2025, at a Renaissance church in Porto, followed by a lavish reception at a nearby castle.
Just 11 days later, tragedy struck. Jota and André, 25, a professional footballer for FC Penafiel, were killed when their Lamborghini Huracan suffered a tire blowout on the A-52 highway, veered off the road, and burst into flames. Jota, advised against flying due to recent lung surgery for a pneumothorax, was driving to Santander to catch a ferry back to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The crash, which occurred at 12:30 a.m., left Rute to identify the bodies and personal effects, a task that necessitated psychological support from authorities.
Rute’s Heartbreaking Confession
On July 22, Rute marked the one-month anniversary of their wedding with an Instagram post that laid bare her grief. Sharing three poignant photos from their wedding day, she wrote, “One month of our ‘until death do us part.’ Forever, your white girl,” a reference to their vows and her wedding dress. In a follow-up story, she revealed the toll of her loss: “The nights are the hardest. I’ve had to rely on sleeping pills to find any rest at night, to quiet the pain just enough to sleep.” This raw admission, reported by The Mirror and Daily Mail, struck a chord with fans, who flooded the post with messages of support. One wrote, “Rute, your strength is unimaginable. Diogo is with you always,” while another added, “The whole of Liverpool is here for you and the kids.”
Rute’s grief was compounded by the public nature of her loss. Photos from the funeral on July 5 at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar showed her weeping as she helped carry Jota’s coffin, leaning on it in a moment of raw sorrow alongside her sister and former teammates like Rúben Neves. The service, attended by Liverpool stars Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Alexis Mac Allister, as well as Portugal’s Roberto Martínez and Bruno Fernandes, was held in the same church where Jota and Rute had married just 13 days earlier. The bishop’s homily, addressed to the couple’s children and family, spoke of “solidarity in love” being stronger than death, a sentiment that resonated with mourners.
A Football Community in Mourning
The football world’s response to Jota’s death has been overwhelming. Liverpool retired his No. 20 shirt, a first for the club, reflecting his impact as a player who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, including six in their Premier League-winning campaign. Fans gathered at Anfield, leaving flowers, scarves, and messages, while murals by artists like Murwalls and Paul Curtis sprang up, one depicting Jota and André together. Tributes poured in from Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “senseless,” and Jürgen Klopp, who described Jota as “a loving husband and father.” Current manager Arne Slot vowed, “We will sing his song when the time is right,” referencing the chant “Diogo, oh-oh-oh” to the tune of Volare.
Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Jota’s former clubs, planned memorials, with Wolves scheduling tributes for their August 9 friendly and Premier League opener. A minute’s silence was held at the UEFA Women’s Euros match between Portugal and Spain, and even non-football figures like LeBron James and Prince William expressed condolences. The Portuguese Football Federation hailed Jota as “an extraordinary person with infectious joy,” a sentiment echoed by teammates like Dominik Szoboszlai, who wrote, “Your smile and love for the game will never be forgotten.”
Rute’s Strength Amid Grief
Rute, 28, has been a quiet but steadfast presence throughout Jota’s career, cheering from the stands and raising their three children while he shone on the pitch. Her Instagram, filled with family moments and travel photos from Sardinia to Lapland, reflects a life built on love and support. In October 2023, she made headlines by calling out Premier League referees for “rigged” calls against Jota, a rare public outburst that showcased her fierce loyalty. Jota reciprocated this devotion, dedicating a goal to her during a 2024 Carabao Cup match by mimicking a pregnancy gesture, celebrating the impending birth of Mafalda.
The financial legacy Jota left behind—estimated at £34.4 million from his Premier League contracts—offers some security for Rute and their children, including a £2.125 million home in Blundellsands, Liverpool. However, as Daily Mail noted, this wealth is little consolation for the loss of a husband and father. Rute’s role as a single mother to three young children has drawn admiration, with fans on X praising her resilience. One post read, “Rute’s strength for her kids is what Diogo would’ve wanted. She’s carrying his legacy.”
The Circumstances of the Tragedy
The crash that claimed Jota and André’s lives remains under investigation. Spanish police initially suggested speeding as a factor, but a truck driver who filmed the aftermath disputed this, insisting the tire blowout was the primary cause. Jota’s physiotherapist, Miguel Goncalves, revealed that Jota was recovering well from lung surgery and was “excited” for the upcoming season, having opted to drive rather than fly due to medical advice. The brothers had dined at Leca da Palmeira before embarking on their ill-fated journey to Santander. The burnt-out wreckage of their Lamborghini Huracan, captured in haunting images, underscored the violence of the crash.
A Legacy of Love and Loss
Rute’s revelation about relying on sleeping pills highlights the ongoing struggle to cope with a loss that has reverberated globally. Her Instagram posts, from wedding highlights to a 2022 video of Jota’s lakeside proposal, capture a love story that began in Porto’s classrooms and endured through international moves and career highs. “We grew up together and we’ll grow old together,” she wrote in 2019, a promise now tragically unfulfilled.
As Liverpool prepares for their season opener against AC Milan on July 26, the absence of Jota’s infectious energy will be felt. Tsimikas’ tattoo, “Wish you were here, 20,” and the murals adorning Anfield ensure his memory endures. For Rute, the nights may require sleeping pills, but her determination to honor Jota’s legacy for their children reflects a strength that mirrors his own. As she wrote, “Not even death can tear us apart,” a testament to a bond that remains unbroken, even in the face of unimaginable grief.
