Rute Cardoso identified the body of her husband, Diogo Jota, according to Spanish newspaper AS. A video showed Cardoso crying and being comforted as she arrived at the Zamora Forensic Medicine Institute. After the identification process, she was visibly distraught and needed assistance getting into a car.
Other family members were also seen weeping in the vehicle.
 |
Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota's wife, is helped away after leaving the Zamora Forensic Medicine Institute in northern Spain on 3/7/2025. Photo: AS |
Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota's wife, is helped away after leaving the Zamora Forensic Medicine Institute in northern Spain on 3/7/2025. Photo: AS
 |
Another of Diogo Jota's relatives cries. Photo: AS |
Another of Diogo Jota's relatives cries. Photo: AS
Local emergency services reported receiving multiple calls about an accident around 12:35 a.m. Madrid time on 3/7. Jota's car, which he shared with his brother Andre Silva, suffered a tire blowout, causing it to lose control, roll over, and catch fire. Emergency personnel were dispatched, but both men died at the scene.
The brothers were reportedly returning from vacation or traveling between tourist destinations in Spain. Jota had just married Cardoso on 22/6.
Jota and Cardoso first met in 2012 at the age of 13. They attended the same high school in Porto and had been together ever since. In July 2022, they got engaged. On 22/6, the couple wed in Porto and shared photos of their wedding and their three children on social media.
 |
Diogo Jota (right) and Rute Cardoso married on 22/6/2025. Photo: Instagram/diogoj_18 |
Diogo Jota (right) and Rute Cardoso married on 22/6/2025. Photo: Instagram/diogoj_18
"June 22, 2025, forever yes," Cardoso wrote. Jota added, "A day we will never forget."
Cardoso later shared another photo with the caption "my dream came true." Jota commented, "I am the lucky one."
The footballer's death prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from football organizations, clubs, players, former players, and fans. "This is a sad day for football, Portuguese sport, and the world," said Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
Jota was born on 4/12/1996. He came through the youth academy of Portuguese club Pacos Ferreira before being signed by Atletico Madrid and then loaned to Porto. In the summer of 2017, Wolves signed Jota on a one-year loan with a $16.6 million purchase option, which they activated six months later. In his first season with Wolves, Jota scored 17 goals in the Championship, helping the club gain promotion to the Premier League.
Jota continued to impress and joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 for $58 million. He played 182 games for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He won three trophies with the club: the 2024-2025 Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup (both in 2021-2022).
Trung Thu
