The sports world is mourning after the tragic news that Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother, André Silva Jota, 25, died in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday, July 3. Their families are without a doubt struggling the most with the tragic losses.
Diogo wasn’t just a key player for Liverpool and the Portuguese national team – he was a father of three, a newlywed, and someone who had built a life full of love with his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso. Just 11 days before his death, they said, “I do.”
Rute and Diogo had a special love story. They reportedly met as teenagers in high school in Porto, Portugal, and began dating in October 2012, when Diogo was around 15.
© @rutecfcardoso14As his soccer career took off, their relationship stayed steady. When he signed with Atlético de Madrid in 2016, Rute was one of his mainstays. When he moved to England to play for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2017–2018 season, she packed her bags too, per OK Diario. There was no doubt that they were a dream team when he joined Liverpool in 2020.
© @rutecfcardoso14They also welcomed three children into the world: Denis, 4, Duarte, 2, and a baby girl they welcomed in November 2024. He proposed to her in a sweet private moment in 2022 before Duarte was born. The couple also had three beagles.
They tied the knot on June 22, 2025, in their native Portugal, surrounded by close friends and family.
Just a month ago, Rute and the kids were by his side celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League victory. Diogo also helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in June.
© GettyHis death has shaken fans, teammates, and fellow legends. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and David Beckham were among those who shared their heartbreak on social media.
Diogo’s parents, Joaquim and Isabel Silva, are reportedly devastated. Losing both Diogo and André in the same moment is unimaginable. They were very close to their sons and also had a loving relationship with Rute, who will now navigate life as a single mom.
© @rutecfcardoso14His final post
One day before his tragic death, Diogo Jota used his Instagram profile to share what would become his final post. The post was a tribute to one of the happiest days of his life: his wedding to Rute.
In the clip, they’re surrounded by their children and loved ones, beaming as they celebrate their special day. “A day we’ll never forget,” he captioned it.
Rest in peace.
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