Liverpool star Diogo Jota suddenly passed away, leaving behind his wife – Rute, and 3 young children.

Just 10 days after donning her pure white wedding dress, Rute Cardoso – Diogo Jota’s wife – became a widow. The tragedy happened so suddenly, leaving not only football fans but also the online community shocked and heartbroken.

First love is last love, but it ends too soon

Rute and Jota fell in love at the age of 16, when they were both innocent students in Portugal. After more than 12 years together, from when Jota was not yet famous until he became a star at Liverpool, they have always been inseparable. Last month, the couple officially “came home together” with a romantic wedding in their hometown of Porto. Rute wrote at the time:  “My dream has come true” . But no one expected that, just two weeks later, she would lose her partner forever.

Rute Cardoso, 28, mother of three, has been Diogo Jota’s beloved partner for 12 years (Photo: The two were photographed in 2012)

The two were together from when they were 16-year-old teenagers to adulthood.

Rute is Diogo Jota’s first and last love.

But just 10 days after the wedding, she became a widow.

A young family, three small children and unfinished plans

The couple has three children together – Dinis (4 years old) and two babies aged 2 years and 8 months. Rute’s personal page often records happy moments of the whole family together, traveling, playing, loving photos filled with smiles. They recently spent a vacation together in Lapland (Finland) in March, enjoying the white snow and warm campfire. Who would have thought that it would be one of the last trips for the whole family.

The accident shocked the football world.

Early Thursday morning, the Lamborghini carrying Diogo Jota and his brother Andre crashed on a highway in Spain. The car is said to have blown a tire, veered off the road and burst into flames. Neither survived. The accident shocked the football world. The Portuguese Football Federation sent its deepest condolences, calling Jota “an outstanding player and an extraordinary person who brought joy and inspiration to the community.”

Diogo Jota shone for Liverpool, helping the team win the Premier League title last May. Before that, he was also an important pillar of the Portuguese national team, helping the team win the UEFA Nations League just a few months ago. Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and quickly became one of the brightest stars, helping the Merseyside team win three major trophies, including the Premier League title last season.

Jota’s younger brother currently plays for Penafiel, a lower division club in Portugal.

The sudden passing of Diogo Jota and his brother has left the sports world shocked and deeply saddened. Legend Gary Neville wrote on social network X: “This is truly heartbreaking news for Diogo Jota and his brother. My love and deepest condolences to their families.”

Diogo Jota and his brother tragically passed away

Diogo Jota is Liverpool star

“I swear forever” – an unfinished oath

Just 5 days before the accident, Rute posted a wedding photo with the promise: “I swear forever”. No one could have expected that vow to end in tears.