Rute Cardoso biography: Rute Cardoso is known as the wife of Diogo Jota, who was a Portuguese professional footballer and died in a car accident in Cernadilla, Spain, on 3 July 2025 at the age of 28.
Rute Cardoso married Diogo Jota on 22 June 2025. They got engaged in July 2022. She met her husband for the first time in 2012 at the age of 13.
He passed away in a car accident along with his brother, André Silva, who was a Portuguese footballer and played as an attacking midfielder. His brother died at the scene, as confirmed by Spanish emergency services.
Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota had three children. Their two sons are Dinis and Duarte, while their daughter’s name is unknown.
His full name was Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, and he was born on 4 December 1996 in Porto, Portugal. He began his career with Paços de Ferreira.
From 2005 to 2013, he played for Gondomar, and from 2013 to 2015 he played for Paços de Ferreira. He signed for Liverpool and received £41 million.
From 2019 to 2025, he played with the Portugal national football team internationally.
He also played for the Portugal national under-23 football team, Portugal national under-21 football team, and Portugal national under-19 football team.
Liverpool FC said:
“We are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota… We request the privacy of Diogo and André’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Premier League wrote:
“Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters… Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed.”
Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) – President Pedro Proença:
“We have lost two champions… Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player… but also an extraordinary person… We will do everything we can to honour their legacy every day.”
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal teammate):
“It doesn’t make sense. Just now we were together with the national team, you had just gotten married… Rest in peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you.”
Ruben Neves (Portugal midfielder):
“They say that we only lose people when we forget them. I will never forget you.”
