The widow of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota has disclosed the heartbreaking final message she sent to her husband moments before his tragic death in a high-speed car crash in Spain last July. Rute Cardoso revealed she asked the striker to send her their wedding video when he had a chance to pull over, in a text he never received.
Final Moments Before Tragedy
Jota, aged 28 and a father of three, was driving a Lamborghini Huracan on a motorway in northern Spain when the vehicle careered off the road. He was traveling back to Liverpool by road after doctors advised him against flying following surgery. The crash occurred close to Spain's north-west border with Portugal, claiming the lives of both Jota and his younger brother Andre Silva.
A Wedding Celebrated Just Days Before
The couple had married at a church in Porto, Portugal, just eleven days before the devastating collision. Their wedding video, which Rute had just received, became the subject of her final communication with her husband. In an excerpt from the upcoming biography, she recounts sending the message: "Love, when you stop, call me, because I have something here to show you," referring to the video.
Biography Reveals Intimate Details
The book, titled 'Nunca Mais e Muito Tempo' (translated as 'Never Again Is a Long Time'), is set for publication on April 9 in Portugal. Written by former footballer Jose Manuel Delgado, it includes emotional accounts from Jota's family, friends, and football colleagues. Portuguese TV presenter Isabel Figueira, who described the biography, noted that the narration of Rute's last messages was particularly moving.
Family's Heartbreaking Accounts
Jota's parents, Joaquim and Isabel Silva, provide poignant testimonies in the book. Joaquim recalls receiving a distressed phone call from Rute after the crash, saying, "Come here, please." He described the journey to her place as horrible and the return home, after learning of the tragedy, as the worst experience possible. Isabel shared how she sent messages to her son Andre that night, never receiving a reply, and the moment she was told both her sons had died.
Investigation and Aftermath
Spanish police indicated that the car was probably speeding at the time of the crash, with evidence pointing to a possible tyre blowout while overtaking. The vehicle caught fire, resulting in the deaths of both occupants. Locals near the crash scene have criticised the state of the road, though the full police report remains confidential as part of an ongoing judicial probe.
Rute's Actions After the Crash
Rute Cardoso, who has since moved back to Gondomar near Porto with her children, detailed how she became worried when Jota failed to respond to her messages. She began calling the hotel where he was due to stay, then hospitals, police, and finally a relative with connections to Spanish traffic authorities in a desperate search for information.
Jota's Character and Legacy
The biography highlights Jota's modest nature, with Rute noting that unlike many footballers, he was not interested in flashy cars or jewellery. She revealed he had rented the Lamborghini for the trip, having previously driven a Ferrari which he returned on the morning of their wedding. The book is described by publisher Cultura Editors as a deeply emotional work that pays tribute to Jota's life both on and off the field, based on around 90 testimonies from figures including Liverpool manager Arne Slot, former boss Jurgen Klopp, and Portugal manager Roberto Martinez.
A Collective Tribute
With contributions from Manchester City stars Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva, as well as detailed career statistics and exclusive family photographs, the biography aims to preserve Jota's memory with dignity and respect. It addresses the tragic accident without sensationalism, seeking to give meaning to the loss and honour the legacy of a player who rose through Portuguese ranks alongside his brother at FC Porto before making his mark in the Premier League.
