Diogo Jota Wife
Meet Diogo Jota Wife Rute Cardoso! This amazing woman married the Liverpool Portuguese player three months before his tragic death, alongside his brother Andre Silva, in Cermadilla, Spain, on July 3, 2025.
Rute Cardoso
Besides being his girlfriend, I’m his number one fan” Rute Cardoso
▶ 28-year-old Rute met Diogo at age 15, also from Portugal Rute was born Rute Carina Cardoso Ferreira in Oporto; she studied at Escola Secundaria de Gondomar.
Rute and Diogo started dating when they were 15. At 19, they are ready to take the first step: moving together to the Spanish capital.
“I’m anxious. Diogo only left this week, but I already miss him. On the other hand, it will be complicated because I have very young nephews, and it’s going to be hard being away from them,” she says.
They have been dating for four years and, as she puts it, it makes sense to accompany him in this stage of his life. “Besides being his girlfriend and best friend, I’m his number one fan—I want to be present,” she says.
Their relationship began at school, where they were classmates.
“Diogo was already at Gondomar, and I came from Jovim when I started high school, and we ended up in the same class. He was dedicated but, at the same time, relaxed. He could get good grades without studying much. He was one of those students who studied just two days before the tests,” she confides.
The move to Madrid put her college plans on hold. Even so, she’s thinking of applying as a kind of backup plan.
“I want to apply and freeze my enrollment, so I can return to studying when the opportunity comes. If that’s not possible, I’ll take another course without going to college,” she says.
As the saying goes, “All good things come to an end quickly.” That’s how she describes the couple’s vacation:
“We spent a week in Punta Cana, a weekend in Caminha, and a few more days at the hot springs, where Diogo spent more time with his brother. It went by quickly.”
Now comes the move. Madrid is calling for them. That was back when Diogo played with Atletico Madrid.
Diogo and Rute started dating in October 2012; got married on June 22, 2025.
They welcomed their first child, son Dinis born on February 8, 2021, another son Duarte born on March 7. 2023, and a baby girl born on November 26, 2024.
Diogo Jota – A Football Journey Cut Short
Diogo José Teixeira da Silva “Jota” was born on December 4, 1996, in Porto, Portugal, and grew up in Gondomar as one of eight siblings.
Club Career Highlights
- Paços de Ferreira (2014–2016): Broke into professional football, showcasing speed, agility, and an eye for goal.
- Atlético Madrid & Loan to Porto (2016–2017): Gained vital experience in Primeira Liga and European competitions while on loan from Atlético.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers (2017–2020): Initially on loan, then permanently, Jota played a key role in their promotion to the Premier League and went on to score 44 times in 131 appearances.
- Liverpool FC (2020–2025): Signed for a fee around £41 million, quickly becoming a dynamic and versatile attacking force, tallying 65 goals in 182 appearances. He helped Liverpool secure several major titles, including the Premier League (2024–2025), FA Cup, and League Cup (2021–2022).
International Career
Debuted for Portugal’s senior squad in November 2019. Earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals. Was part of the teams that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.
Tragic Death – Details of the Accident
- Date & Location: Around 00:40 on July 3, 2025, on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, province of Zamora in northwestern Spain.
- Vehicle: He and his brother were traveling in a Lamborghini Urus, reportedly en route to catch a ferry back to England.
- Cause: A tyre likely blew out during an overtaking maneuver at high speed, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, hit an embankment, and erupt into flames.
- Aftermath: Emergency and fire services arrived quickly but found the vehicle engulfed. Both Diogo Jota and his brother died instantly at the scene.
- Investigation: Spanish authorities, including the Civil Guard, launched a formal investigation to confirm the preliminary findings.
Legacy
Diogo Jota was celebrated for his versatility, speed, clinical finishing, and unwavering work ethic. His untimely death at just 28 was met with widespread shock. Tributes poured in across the football world—from Liverpool FC, the Portuguese national team, UEFA, Cristiano Ronaldo, and countless fans and clubs across Europe. Moments of silence have been observed at matches to honor his memory.
Though his life and career were tragically brief, Jota’s impact on the pitch and spirit off it have left a lasting impression as one of Portugal’s brightest football stars.
