Diogo Jota's mother encourages Andy Robertson to take his late teammate's World Cup dream to the 2026 tournament.
Football mourned the loss of Diogo Jota, who passed away at 28 in a car accident last year. The Portuguese striker, who earned 49 international caps, never played at a World Cup despite helping his country qualify. His absence left a void in the sport, felt deeply by those who knew him.
After Scotland secured their World Cup spot in November, defender Andy Robertson expressed how Jota's memory stayed with him. 'I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today,' he said. Robertson and Jota had shared conversations about their World Cup dreams, both having missed the 2022 tournament due to injuries.
Rute Cardoso, mother of Jota’s three children, wrote to Robertson through FIFA, reflecting on the bond between the two players. 'Diogo often spoke of you,' she wrote, recalling their shared battles, laughter, and football dreams. The World Cup was one dream they nurtured together with the same passion they brought to the pitch.
Cardoso’s letter to Robertson highlighted how his qualification for the World Cup would also honor Jota’s unfulfilled dream. 'When you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out,' she wrote. 'Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.' She thanked Robertson for keeping Jota’s memory alive and turning grief into strength.
Robertson, emotional while reading the letter, assured that Jota would always be with him during 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,' he said. The defender, now playing for Tottenham after leaving Liverpool, added that the memories would bring both laughter and tears.
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, with Scotland making their first appearance since 1998. Their Group C matches include Haiti on June 15, Morocco on June 19, and Brazil on June 24. Robertson emphasized that he wasn’t just playing for himself but for both of them, carrying Jota’s dream with every step.
FIFA released a video featuring Robertson reading Jota’s mother’s letter, capturing the emotional weight of the moment. The clip highlights the deep friendship between the two players and the lasting impact of Jota’s legacy. It serves as a reminder of how football connects beyond the pitch.