Andy Robertson Honors Diogo Jota With a Letter From His Widow Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026

Robertson's emotion and Rute Cardoso's letter transform Jota's memory into strength for Scotland in their World Cup return.

Andy Robertson and his former teammate Diogo Jota at the World Cup

Andy Robertson, captain of the Scotland national team, experienced a moment of deep emotion in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. The defender remembered his former teammate Diogo Jota, who passed away in a car accident in Spain in 2025, and assured that he will carry him "in his heart" during every match he plays in the biggest football event.

The words of Jota's Widow

The intensity of his words multiplied after receiving a letter from Rute Cardoso, widow of the Portuguese forward and mother of his three children. In the message, Cardoso expressed gratitude and pride for the friendship that united Robertson and Jota: "Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you forged, of the battles, the challenges, the laughter, and the dreams."

Robertson, visibly moved, declared according to FIFA: "I'll carry him in my heart and I know he'll be with me in the first game, the second, the third, and hopefully all the others." The Scottish full-back revealed that he thot of Jota during the preparation for the decisive victory against Denmark, which returned Scotland to a World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Their dream

Both shared the dream of reaching a final stage. In the 2022 World Cup, they had trained together, although Jota missed that event due to injury. Now, Robertson feels that Scotland's qualification also represents the fulfillment of that shared dream.

Cardoso's letter closed with a message that touched intimate chords: "Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for transforming pain into strength and into something so beautiful."