Diogo Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, has shared an emotional tribute to her late husband today, February 14 (Valentine’s Day). A picture of the late Liverpool FC player and Rute looking into each other’s eyes was shared on Instagram, alongside a white love heart emoji. The post was accompanied by Matt Fretwell’s song ‘If I would have known’.
The lyrics to the song are: “I still see you in the places we would go. Like your face is painted on the walls I’ve been trying to forget all the moments that we spent because now I do it on my own.
“Oh, you and I were like the summer but now it’s winter here on my own. If I would have known that you wouldn’t be here anymore I would have made the moments last a little longer because now I’m alone and you’re just a memory in my mind.”
Jota died in a car accident in Spain last summer. The 28-year-old was travelling with his brother, Andre Silva, in the Zamora region of Sanabria when the incident occurred. His brother, who is two years younger, was a professional for Portuguese second-tier team Penafiel.
Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in September 2020. The striker had played an important role in the Reds’ Premier League title-winning campaign last season, making 26 appearances and scoring six goals. He had been on holiday after helping Portugal win the UEFA Nations League in June 2025.
Rute was back at Anfield in December with her three children as Liverpool FC took on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. The sides were the two English teams that took Jota to their hearts during his time playing at the clubs.
Both sets of supporters shared special tributes throughout the match on an incredibly emotional afternoon that showed just how much the Portuguese forward meant to both teams.
Rute was in attendance and her two sons, Dinis and Duarte, were mascots as they led the teams out ahead of the Premier League encounter.
The 29-year-old took to Instagram after the game and said how much the support has meant to the family since Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, tragically died in a car accident in July.
She said: “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the club and to all the fans for the love, respect and support shown during this incredibly difficult time. Your messages and gestures have meant more than words can express.”
The couple got married just weeks before the tragic death. On Instagram Jota had shared a video of him and wife Rute on their special wedding day. He wrote: “A day we will never forget” and Rute also shared moments from the wedding day.
She said: “My dream come true”, as Jota replied “I’m the lucky one”, with a heart-eyed emoji. A picture of the two was posted by Rute of the couple standing in the church with their arms linked and smiling at the camera.