Liverpool’s forward Diogo Jota was married in an intimate wedding to his wife, Rute Cardoso, a few weeks before his sudden passing.
The world of football and beyond is mourning the devastating news of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing. On July 3, 2025, less than two weeks after celebrating his wedding, the beloved Liverpool forward lost his life in a car accident in Spain alongside his brother, André Silva. Their car veered off the road and was engulfed in flames—a sudden, heartbreaking end to two lives full of promise, Goal.com reports.
This tragedy comes just days after what should have been the happiest moment of his life: marrying his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso, in an intimate ceremony in Porto on June 22, 2025. The timing makes this story even more poignant and leaves many wanting to know more about the woman who had been by his side since their teenage years.
Credit: Instagram @diogoj_18
Who is Diogo Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso?
Rute Cardoso isn’t just known for being Diogo Jota’s wife—she was part of his story long before the spotlight. The two first met in 2012, when they were only 13 years old, attending high school together in Porto, Portugal.
Their love blossomed quietly but steadily, with Rute supporting Diogo throughout his career—from his early days at Paços de Ferreira to Wolves and finally to Liverpool, where he became a fan favorite. Despite Jota’s rising fame, the couple kept their relationship grounded and private, sharing only glimpses of their life on social media.
In July 2022, Diogo proposed beside a peaceful lake—a deeply personal moment that reflected the simplicity and sincerity of their bond. Three years later, on June 22, 2025, they married in Porto in what appeared to be a small, heartfelt ceremony attended by close family and friends.
Credit: Instagram @diogoj_18
Photos from their wedding captured a couple radiating love and pride in the family they built together. In the caption, Rute simply wrote:
“June 22, 2025. Yes to forever.”
Diogo shared his reflection:
“A day we will never forget.”
In another post, Rute added, “My dream come true,” to which Diogo replied tenderly, “I’m the lucky one.”
Credit: Instagram @diogoj_18
Did Diogo Jota have any children?
Yes! Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso were proud parents of three children. They had two sons, Dinis and Duarte, and a daughter whose name they chose not to share publicly.
Family was always at the heart of their relationship. Whether it was celebrating milestones, sharing quiet moments at home, or traveling together, Diogo and Rute’s posts often reflected deep love for their children and how central family was to both of them.
At their June wedding, the couple was photographed beaming alongside all three of their children—a symbol of the life and love they had built over the years.
In moments like these, the headlines often focus on what was lost. But at Janatribe, we also choose to honor what was built: a love story that began in a classroom, grew through shared dreams, and led to a wedding day that celebrated not just two people, but an entire family.
Diogo and Rute’s story reminds us why weddings matter so deeply: they capture a promise forever—a promise that, even in grief, continues to live on through memories, family, and love that can never be undone.
Our hearts remain with Rute Cardoso, their children, and everyone who loved Diogo Jota, as we remember not only a celebrated athlete but also a husband, partner, and father whose love story touched so many.
