Soccer still hasn't managed to close the wound opened on July 3, when Liverpool forward Diogo Jota died in a tragic car accident alongside his brother André, who was only 26 years old. The accident occurred in the province of Zamora, when both were heading to Santander to catch a ferry bound for the United Kingdom. However, if there is someone for whom that day marked a turning point, it is Rute Cardoso, the player's wife and mother of his three children. The couple had gotten married just ten days earlier, on June 22, in a ceremony held in Porto.
Now, one month after that wedding that marked her last great joy, Rute has decided to break her silence with a message that has moved thousands of followers and figures from the world of sports.
A farewell full of love and symbolism
Rute Cardoso's post came exactly on the monthly anniversary of her wedding. A date that in any other circumstance would have been celebrated with a smile, but this year has been marked by loss. On her Instagram profile, where more than one and a half million people follow her, Rute shared three images from that very special day. In one of them, their hands are seen intertwined, wearing their wedding rings. In the other two, she appears dancing with Diogo, in scenes that exude happiness and complicity.
The message that accompanies the photos is brief but heartbreaking: "One month of our 'not even death will separate us.' Forever, your little white one". The phrase, direct and emotional, reflects not only the unbreakable bond she felt with her husband, but also the impossibility of closing such a deep grief.
Since Jota's funeral was held in Portugal, Rute had kept a low profile. The footballer's family asked for respect and privacy, especially for the three children left behind by the Portuguese forward. This post has been her first public gesture, and the response has been immediate.
Support from soccer, social media, and institutions
Within hours of the message being posted, social media were filled with messages of support. From Georgina Rodríguez, Cristiano Ronaldo's partner, to Alice Campello, Álvaro Morata's wife, many sports celebrities showed their solidarity. Even influencers and former friends of Rute wanted to dedicate words of affection to her in such a delicate moment.
However, support has also come from institutions. Liverpool FC confirmed that they would keep Diogo Jota's contract in force, thus ensuring that payments will go to his widow and children. In addition, the club announced the creation of a special fund to guarantee the education and well-being of the little ones, aware that the emotional blow should not translate into future insecurity.
Tributes have also been organized in stadiums, with moments of silence and black armbands in official matches, and several players have remembered the Portuguese with gestures on the field.
Questions about the accident and the indelible memory
The investigation into the accident has not yet concluded. Although the first hypotheses pointed to excessive speed as a probable cause, eyewitnesses stated that the car was being driven prudently. The vehicle, a high-end Lamborghini, left the road at mile marker 40 mi. (65 km) of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla. The collision was followed by a fire that prevented emergency services from saving the occupants.