Andy Robertson, who was a close friend of Diogo Jota, will captain Scotland in their first World Cup finals in 28 years. The Liverpool left-back has shared an emotional letter from Jota's widow, Rute Cardoso, as he prepares to lead his nation at the tournament.
A Bond Forged at Liverpool
Robertson and Jota were teammates and close friends at Liverpool before the Portuguese forward tragically died in a car accident at the age of 28 last July. The pair had often spoken about their shared World Cup aspirations, and when Scotland qualified for the first time in almost three decades, Robertson revealed that Jota had been strongly in his thoughts.
Now, as part of a feature on Fifa's social media channels, Robertson has read out a letter from Cardoso, who expressed her gratitude and pride.
The Letter from Rute Cardoso
"Andy, I'm writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and above all pride," the letter read. "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. 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 continued: "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. 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 be just you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart."
She added: "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. That's how we do it here at home too, every day. He would be and is incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him. With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute Cardoso."
Robertson's Emotional Response
Robertson, who attended the wedding of Jota and Cardoso, was visibly moved by the letter. The left-back, who will join Tottenham this summer, said: "It's obviously amazing of Rute to even take the time, with what she's going through, to write me a letter but it just sums up the person that she is. Thankfully, I got to know her and the amazing times that they had. Obviously I've seen how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her, when obviously Jots left us. Just, thank you. That letter will stay with me for a very long time. And we've just got to carry him with us. We will always make sure that his name will never be forgotten, that his memories will always be cherished like Rute says in there, the dreams that we'd shared of trying to be at the World Cup."
Scotland's World Cup campaign begins this summer, and Robertson will lead a team inspired by the memory of their former teammate.
