Part of FIFA’s ‘Letters That Unite’, Andy Robertson reads a poignant letter from Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota’s wife, ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Rute Cardoso wrote to Robertson, speaking of his former teammate’s dream of glory at the World Cup, with Rute urging him to carry it forward.
Jota will be remembered throughout the tournament, after he died in a car crash in July 2025 at the age of 28, leaving behind his wife and three young children.
Diogo Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, has written a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson ahead of the World Cup.
She thanks Robertson for his friendship, and for preserving Diogo’s memory. Robertson adds he’ll have Jota at the forefront of his mind.🙏 pic.twitter.com/h5KsfPyCCx
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 8, 2026
The letter read: Andy, I’m writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and above all pride. 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 two of you nurtured side by side with the same passion with which you took to the pitch.
“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, 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 just be you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“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. Love it for yourself and for him.
“With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute Cardoso.”
Andy said: “You know, it’s obviously, you know, amazing of Ruth to, you know, even take the time of, you know, for what she’s going through to write, you know, me a letter, but it just sums up the person that she is.
“Thankfully I got to know her in the amazing times that they had, you know, obviously been to their wedding, celebrated trophies with her and, and Jots.
“But yeah, and then obviously I’ve seen how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her when, you know, obviously Jots left us. So just thank you. That letter will, you know, stay with me for a very long time.
“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.
“And like Rute says, I the dreams that we’ve shared of trying to be at the World Cup. Obviously, I think 2022 World Cup was when me and Jots really became close, he missed out because of injury.
“Obviously Scotland never qualified and I think we just spoke so much about what it would mean to us both to be at the next World Cup and that was the aim for both of us to get to America.
“Yeah, obviously I’m just gutted that that was taken away from him.
“But I think obviously 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.
“Yeah, he’s always there. He’s always something to think about. He’s always, the memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry and I think that will be no different, especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion.
“I know he’ll be right at front of my mind and yeah, but I’m not only just playing for me, I’m playing for both of us.”
Social media users gave their reaction after Andy Robertson reads a poignant letter from Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota’s wife, ahead of the World Cup…
@BennyHopson: The strength of Robbo is quite something. The ability to speak clearly about someone so dear to him is amazing. ♥️
@reid1892: Really beautiful. What an incredible woman Rute Cardoso clearly is through her pain and grief. And what a fella Andy Robertson is – he’ll be missed at Liverpool.
@ChrisChurchil20: What a wonderful gesture from Rute. ♥️
@jintygal31: So emotional – I’m crying & not ashamed to admit it! Hopefully this dream they shared will spur Andy & his Scotland team mates on starting this weekend & propel them through the group stages & whatever then lies ahead!
@deedna00: Robbo is a very special human being, he’s Liverpool through and through, with a heart the size of Anfield, heartbreaking watch 💔
@AllisonJaneSmi2: This is a heartbreaking but beautiful listen. Spurs have signed a top human being in Andy Robertson. His wisdom & experience on & off the pitch will be invaluable #coys 🤍
@LaCaroRosso: What an incredible woman Rute is ❤️ Beautiful words from her and Andy here.
@Lea_EFC: Blimey this is heartbreaking 💔 Andy Robertson you have my total respect brother 🙏🥹
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