Robertson Vows To Carry Diogo Jota’s World Cup Dream After Emotional Letter From Widow

Scotland captain Andrew Robertson has promised to carry the memory and World Cup dream of his late friend Diogo Jota after receiving an emotional letter from the Portugal forward’s widow, Rute Cardoso.

Naija News reports that Jota died aged 28 in a car crash in July, 2025, shortly after helping Portugal qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Despite winning 49 caps for his country, the former Liverpool striker never played at football’s biggest tournament after missing the 2022 edition through injury.

In a letter published by FIFA earlier today, Cardoso reflected on the close friendship shared by Jota and Robertson during their time together at Liverpool and the World Cup ambition they both held.

“Diogo often spoke of you. Of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams,” Cardoso wrote.

“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured, side by side, with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.”

Cardoso said Robertson’s reaction after Scotland secured qualification for the World Cup in November had deeply touched her.

“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch,” she said.

“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone. You’ll be taking his dream with you too.

“And when you step onto the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.”

Cardoso also thanked Robertson for continuing to honour her husband’s memory.

“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful,” she wrote.

“He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”

Robertson had spoken movingly about Jota after Scotland booked their place at the World Cup, revealing his former teammate was foremost in his thoughts.

“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today,” Robertson said.

“We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he’ll be smiling over me today.”

Now with Tottenham Hotspur after leaving Liverpool FC, Robertson was visibly emotional as he read Cardoso’s letter in a FIFA video.

Responding to the message, the Scotland skipper said Jota’s presence would remain with him throughout the tournament.

“I’ll carry him in my heart and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game and hopefully beyond that,” Robertson said.

“He’s always there. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry.

“And that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind.

“I’m not only just playing for me. I’m playing for both of us.”