Diogo Jota Wife Details Tragical Night in New Biography
“This is a joke, it can’t be true. There is no way in the world that this could be true!” Rute Cardoso recalled saying after learning of her husband’s death, according to the biography Diogo Jota: Forever In Our Hearts by José Manuel Delgado, published on October 22. The book detailed the tragic July 3, 2025, car crash in Spain that killed the 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward alongside his younger brother, André Silva.
The tragedy unfolded after Jota left Portugal bound for England. Because doctors advised against flying following a recent lung operation, Jota and his brother planned to drive through Spain and take a ferry to the United Kingdom. Before departing, the brothers stopped to say goodbye to family. Cardoso texted Jota shortly after they left, receiving an emoji reply instructing him to watch the road. It was the last message he answered.
Walking Eleven Kilometers Outside Sister’s House
As the evening progressed, Cardoso grew anxious when the brothers failed to arrive at their planned hotel in Benavente, Spain. Her messages went unread and unanswered, and calls to both men failed to connect. She contacted the hotel, hospitals, and Spanish authorities without success. The breakthrough came when her uncle, Vítor, used his contacts as a truck driver to reach Spanish traffic police. While on the line, Cardoso overheard her uncle confirm that bodies were being recovered, before a Spanish police officer officially verified her husband’s death by stating his full name and date of birth.
Overwhelmed by denial, Cardoso refused to sit down and wait inside. She paced back and forth across the yard of her sister’s house throughout the night.
Journey to Spain and Final Personal Items
Days later, Cardoso traveled to Spain in a van to retrieve the personal belongings of her husband and brother, requesting that the driver retrace their exact route. When they reached kilometer 64 of the highway, the wreckage remained visible. A police officer stopped her from approaching the crash site to prevent further trauma. At the morgue, authorities showed her Diogo lying on a stretcher and André inside a container, both covered in body bags. She received Diogo’s personal belongings including his watch, wallet, and wedding ring before returning.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Biography and Tragedy
Who wrote the biography about Diogo Jota?
José Manuel Delgado authored Diogo Jota: Forever In Our Hearts, which hit bookshelves on October 22.
Where were the proceeds from the book directed?
Publisher information indicated that all profits from sales of the biography go toward supporting a youth football program created in Jota’s honor through the LFC Foundation.