His last words to me before he passed on still echo in my memory: ‘I can’t believe the man I married last week is gone’” – Diogo Jota’s widow breaks her silence
Just ten days ago, Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota wed his long-time love, Rute Cardoso, in an intimate ceremony in Porto on June 22, 2025. Their wedding was billed as the happiest day of their lives—a joyful celebration surrounded by their three young children and closest family. But that joy was tragically short-lived.
In the brightest spotlight of that day, Diogo’s final Instagram post—a wedding reel captioned “A day we will never forget”—resonated as a heartfelt promise from a man full of hope and devotion . Little did anyone know, those would become hauntingly literal words.
A Nightmare on the A‑52
In the early hours of July 3, 2025, tragedy struck on Spain’s A‑52 in Zamora province. Diogo, 28, accompanied by his brother André, was driving a Lamborghini when a tyre exploded during an overtaking manoeuvre, causing the car to veer off and ignite in flames . Both brothers died instantly at the scene. Diogo’s body was discovered still clutching his wedding ring.
Rute’s heartbreak: Final words that haunt her
Devastated and inconsolable, Rute Cardoso has broken her silence. In a chilling revelation, she shared the final words Diogo whispered to her before leaving that morning:
> “I can’t believe the man I married last week is gone…”
Those haunting words have left her shattered. What was meant as a message of love and new beginnings became a tribute she will carry forever.
A community in mourning
The football world was shaken. Liverpool FC, UEFA, and Portugal’s national team held moments of silence in tribute, while teammates like Trent Alexander‑Arnold and coaches like Jürgen Klopp joined in prayer and shock . On the Women’s Euro pitch, players observed silent respect before kickoff .
Tears flowed not just in training and stadiums, but from teammates and rivals worldwide. Cristiano Ronaldo, a close friend and teammate, solemnly remarked, *“It doesn’t make sense. We were just together in the national team, and now you’d just got married…”* .
Love, Legacy, and the unbearable loss
Diogo’s journey was meteoric: from youth clubs in Porto (Gondomar, Paços de Ferreira), through triumphs with Wolverhampton and Liverpool, to international heroics. Over five seasons, he netted 65 goals in 182 appearances, including a historic Premier League title, FA Cup, and two League Cups .
Yet today, amid the accolades and pawns of a glittering career, it’s his words to Rute that cut the deepest. The same man who publicly declared “Yes to forever” on June 22, 2025 is now forever gone.
Rute, grappling with the sudden void, said simply: “His last words to me before he passed on still reflect in my memory.” Behind her fractured strength lies a woman now forced to face life alone, with only his words and their short-lived wedding memories to cling to.
The world watches Rute’s story unfold
As tributes continue to flood in—from fans, teammates, world leaders, and fellow athletes—only one question remains: how does one move forward from such an unimaginable loss?
The world will remember Diogo Jota not just for his goals or athleticism, but for his passion for family, his humility off the pitch, and the love he openly displayed for his wife. Now, as Rute struggles with that cruel final message, her grief becomes a public testament to the fragility of life.
This isn’t just the story of a fallen star. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the brightest moments, tragedy can strike—and the words left behind may be all we have. Rute’s broken declaration—”I can’t believe the man I married last week is gone”—reminds us that sometimes the most unforgettable words are those we never expected to hear.
🕯️ In memory
of Diogo Jota (1996–2025) and André Silva (1998–2025)