Liverpool star Diogo Jota married Rute Cardoso, his childhood sweetheart, just two weeks before he and his brother were tragically killed in a car crash in Spain
Diogo Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, has posted on social media for the first time since the Liverpool star’s tragic death. She shared an image on Instagram of the pair holding hands at their wedding which took place just two weeks before Jota, 28, and his brother were killed in a car crash.
“1 month of our ‘until death do us part’,” Cardoso wrote as the caption. “Forever, your little white girl.”
Jota and Cardoso, who’d been together since they were teenagers, had three children together, two sons – Dinis and Duarte – and a daughter, whose name has not publicly been revealed. The Liverpool forward and his brother, Andre Silva, died in the early hours of Thursday, July 3 near Zamora, Spain.
Spanish police say that ‘all the evidence so far’ shows that Jota was driving the Lamborghini at the time. Authorities also believe that evidence is pointing towards the vehicle ‘significantly exceeding the speed limit for the highway’ when the crash took place.
The bothers’ family and friends were joined by Liverpool players past and present as well as members of Jota’s national team for their funeral in Portugal. In remembrance of Jota, the Premier League champions have retired the No.20 shirt.
“It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club’s number 20,” the club said in a statement.
“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy.
“The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.”
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