Diogo Jota’s widow sends emotional World Cup message to Robertson
The widow of Diogo Jota has written an emotional letter to Scotland captain Andrew Robertson, encouraging him to carry the late footballer’s memory with him during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Jota, who died in a car accident last July at the age of 28, helped Portugal qualify for the tournament but never had the opportunity to play at a World Cup.
The forward missed the 2022 edition through injury and was preparing for what would have been his first appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Robertson, one of Jota’s closest friends during their time together at Liverpool, had previously spoken about the dream they shared of playing at a World Cup.
Widow reflects on friendship
In a letter published by FIFA, Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, thanked Robertson for keeping her husband’s memory alive and described the strong bond the pair developed during their years as teammates.
“Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football… and about dreams,” she wrote.
“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side.”
Cardoso added that when Robertson walks onto the pitch in Scotland’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, he will be carrying part of Jota’s dream with him.
“You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.”
Robertson vows to honour teammate
The Scotland captain responded emotionally to the letter, saying the message would stay with him for a long time.
“I’ll carry him in my heart and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that,” Robertson said.
“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.”
The defender added: “I’m not only just playing for me. I’m playing for both of us.”
Scotland will compete at their first World Cup in nearly three decades, facing Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in Group C as Robertson prepares to fulfil a dream he once shared with his late friend.