Jota’s widow urges Robertson to carry late star’s World Cup dream

Rute Cardoso, the widow of late Portugal forward Diogo Jota, has implored Scotland captain Andrew Robertson to carry her husband's World Cup dream with him as he prepares to lead his country at the upcoming tournament. Jota, who tragically died at age 28 in a car crash in July, had helped Portugal qualify for the World Cup. Despite earning 49 caps for his country, the former Liverpool forward never had the opportunity to play in the World Cup, having missed the 2022 edition due to injury.

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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.

In an emotional letter published by FIFA, Cardoso reflected on the deep friendship between Jota and Robertson, both former teammates at Liverpool. She wrote about their shared dream of playing on the World Cup stage. "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 shared.

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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 expressed her deep emotion upon hearing Robertson's comments after Scotland secured their World Cup qualification in November. "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 stated. She added that by securing a place at the tournament, Robertson would be carrying Jota's dream with him, knowing he would be in his thoughts and heart.

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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.

Robertson, who recently moved to Tottenham Hotspur after leaving Liverpool, had previously spoken of Jota after Scotland's qualification, admitting his former teammate was at the forefront of his thoughts. "I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today," Robertson said at the time. "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." Visibly moved by Cardoso's heartfelt message in a FIFA video, Robertson vowed to honor Jota's memory throughout the tournament, stating, "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."

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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.