An incredibly emotional piece of footballing history has emerged ahead of the upcoming World Cup, linking the legacy of a fallen former Liverpool hero with Scotland’s historic return to the global stage.
Andy Robertson has shared a touching, deeply personal letter from Rute Cardoso, the widow of his former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota.
Jota tragically lost his life in a car accident last July at just 28 years old a loss that devastated the football world and left a profound void at Anfield.
As Robertson prepares to captain Scotland in their first World Cup appearance in nearly 30 years, he revealed that Jota has been at the forefront of his mind.
The two close friends had frequently spoken about their shared international ambitions. Now, as part of a feature on FIFA’s social media channels, Robertson has read aloud the moving words sent to him by Rute.
A message from the heart
In the letter, Rute Cardoso expressed her deep gratitude to Robertson for keeping Jota’s memory alive as he prepares for the tournament.
“Andy I’m writing to you with a heart full of longing, gratitude and above all pride,” the letter read. “Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams.
“The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured side by side with the same passion with which you took to the pitch. When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch.
“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone; you’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step onto the pitch, I know it won’t be just you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“So, today I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful. That’s how we do it here at home too, every day. He would be and is incredibly proud of you.
“Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him. With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute Cardoso.”
Robertson’s emotional response
Robertson, 32, who previously attended the wedding of Jota and Rute, was visibly moved while reading the letter. The Scotland captain, who is set to bring a legendary nine-year spell at Liverpool to an end this summer ahead of a move to Tottenham Hotspur, spoke of his immense respect for Rute’s strength.
“It’s obviously amazing of Rute to even take the time, with what she’s going through, to write me a letter but it just sums up the person that she is,” Robertson said. “Thankfully, I got to know her and the amazing times that they had.
“Obviously I’ve seen how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her, when obviously Jots left us. Just, thank you. That letter will stay with me for a very long time. And we’ve just got to carry him with us. We will always make sure that his name will never be forgotten, that his memories will always be cherished like Rute says in there, the dreams that we’d shared of trying to be at the World Cup.”
Nurturing a shared dream
During their time together on Merseyside, the bond between Robertson and Jota grew over their shared, bittersweet international heartbreaks and hopes. Jota cruelly missed the 2022 World Cup with Portugal due to injury, a tournament Scotland failed to qualify for.
Following Jota’s tragic passing in July 2025, his Portuguese international teammates paid tribute by naming a symbolic “27+1” squad for their own World Cup preparations.
Now, as Robertson achieves the dream of leading his country to the big stage after a three-decade wait, he carries the spirit of his friend with him. With over 90 appearances for Scotland since 2014, this tournament represents the pinnacle of Robertson’s international career and he will not be walking out alone.
ReadLiverpoolFC Verdict
This is a moment that transcends football rivalry and cuts straight to the soul of what the Liverpool family is all about. Even as Andy Robertson prepares to close his historic Anfield chapter for a new adventure with Tottenham, his unbreakable bond with Diogo Jota reminds us of the profound humanity behind the badges.
The tragedy of losing “Jots” so young is a scar that Liverpool fans, and the football community at large, will carry for a very long time. Seeing Rute Cardoso show such unbelievable grace and strength to lift up Robertson is nothing short of inspiring.
When Robbo leads Scotland out at the World Cup, every single Liverpool supporter regardless of nationality will be cheering him on, knowing he is carrying the dreams of a beloved regular from the Kop right there with him.
You’ll Never Walk Alone has never felt more fitting.
