A Tribute That Hits the Soul

For Rute Cardoso, every day since July 4, 2025 has carried a weight that words can barely hold. But this week, that grief found a moment of light. Her daughter —born on November 26 of last year, the child she had with Diogo Jota— turned one. And Rute chose to celebrate that milestone with the purest memory possible: a series of never-before-seen photos of Jota holding their baby, smiling, glowing with the joy of a father who never imagined how abruptly life would be taken from him.

The caption was simple and devastating: “A whole year.” A sentence that captures grief, absence, memory… and love.

A Story Forever Marked

Rute and Jota had been together since childhood. They married in Porto on June 22, 2025, in a ceremony that felt like the beginning of a lifetime story. But fate was merciless: less than two weeks later, Jota and his brother André Silva died in an accident that shook Portugal and the entire football world.

Since that day, Rute has become a symbol of quiet strength. Every public appearance, every small gesture, every message surrounding her family is a reminder of the human dimension behind a lost idol.

Portugal Still Mourns Its Star

The country is still trying to grasp the magnitude of the loss. Jota had just helped Portugal win the Nations League, leaving behind one of his most iconic images with the national team. That joy quickly turned into homage, and an entire nation said goodbye with disbelief and affection.

Cristiano Ronaldo —who led the tributes— wrote a message that set the tone for the country’s grief. Later, CR7 sent Jota’s family a commemorative watch designed with Jacob & Co., a private gesture that journalist Nuno Luz described as “the kind of thing he does without publicity.”

Liverpool’s Eternal Tribute

While Rute honors her husband’s memory from the personal side, Liverpool has done so institutionally. The club officially retired the number 20 across all teams, including the women’s squad and the academy, after consulting directly with Rute.

“He will forever be Liverpool’s number 20,” the club wrote —a farewell befitting a player who shaped results, dressing rooms and hearts.

A Birthday Without Dad, but Overflowing With Love

Rute’s tribute on her daughter’s first birthday was more than a remembrance —it was an act of love, resilience and devotion. A gesture that shows that even though life has moved forward, Diogo Jota remains present in every space he cherished and in every moment his family now lives without him.