By Catriona Rigney Jasmine Allday
Diogo Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, shared an emotional wedding video just hours before tragedy struck, as the Liverpool football star tragically died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28, alongside his brother Andre, who was just 26.
The heartbreaking news of Diogo and Andre鈥檚 passing in the crash was confirmed by Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation. In his poignant statement, he said: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and Andre虂 Silva, this morning, in Spain.”
“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.”
“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and Andre虂 Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.”
“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship. Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy”, reports the Mirror.
Emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region have confirmed the tragic crash with a statement that read: “The 1-1-2 Castilla y Leo虂n operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident and the vehicle was on fire.
“1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Center (CCU) of this accident. From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Center were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”
Diogo married his long term partner Rute Cardoso in Portugal on June 22, just 11 days before the accident.
In a poignant final post just hours before his untimely passing, Rute shared a touching video of their recent wedding day, which she movingly captioned: “A day we will never forget”. Since the devastating news of Diogo’s passing emerged, heartfelt tributes have poured in on the post.
The shared video offers a glimpse into their special day, showcasing moments from their ceremony and joyous celebrations with family. One tender clip reveals Diogo and Rute gazing deeply into each other’s eyes.
The video perfectly captures the beautiful wedding between Diogo and Rute, who had been together since they were 13. In the video, the pair were shown taking some time on their own – Rute looking out over Porto and Diogo reflecting in the beautiful building.
Posting about their wedding, Rute captioned the post: “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
Diogo and Rute met in school at just 13 years old and have been together ever since. The pair started dating in Porto and she was there with him all the way throughout his career.
She supported him during his early football days training with Pacos Ferreira, to when he then joined Porto, and went with him to Spain for his stint with Atletico Madrid. Together, they then moved to the UK, where he took to the pitch for Wolverhampton.
Rute and Diogo share three children 鈥 two sons and a daughter who was born in November.
Just earlier this week, Rute posted a beautiful picture of herself getting ready for her wedding, which she captioned: “My dream came true,” alongside a white heart. In the comments of the post, her husband wrote: “But I’m the lucky one,” alongside a heart eyes emoji.
Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota鈥檚 family 鈥渁ll the strength in the world鈥 following his heartbreaking death.
A translated version of his message on Instagram said: 鈥淒oesn鈥檛 make any sense.
鈥淛ust now we were together in the national team, just now you were married.
鈥淭o your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.
鈥淚 know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.鈥