Diogo Jota’s wife has marked the pair’s one-month wedding anniversary with a devastating message in which she declares her undying love for her late husband.
The 28-year-old Liverpool star and his brother, Andre Silva, 25, were both killed when their car crashed in Spain on July 3, news that shook the footballing world to its foundations.
Local police confirmed that the Lamborghini the two siblings were travelling in sustained a tyre blow out while overtaking another vehicle as it left the A-52 road in Zamora, in the northwest of the country.
Just 11 days earlier, Jota had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, in Sao Cosme, in his home city of Porto, where they were surrounded by their closest friends and family, including Liverpool team-mates Andy Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher.
Tragically, the Portugal international and his younger brother were buried at the same venue two days after their deaths.
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In the intervening days and weeks, the global football community have united in paying their respects, with grief-stricken fans and players offering their condolences to friends, family and loved ones on social media.
This afternoon, Jota’s partner, Rute, took to Instagram this afternoon for the first time since the fateful road traffic accident to share three pictures from the pair’s wedding day, along with a moving 14-word message.
‘1 month of our “until death do us part” [white love heart emoji],’ she wrote.
‘For ever, Your white girl [white love heart emoji].’
In the space of just an hour, the heart-wrenching post was liked over 200,000 times, with Jota’s long-time partner receiving countless messages of love and support.
Earlier this month, Liverpool confirmed their plans to immortalise Jota by retiring the No.20 shirt in memory of the much-loved attacker, who played a key role as the club won the Premier League title last season.
The English champions are set to retire the number across all levels, including the academy and the women’s team.
A statement from Liverpool said: ‘After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy.
‘The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.’
Liverpool CEO Michael Edwards added: ‘As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way.
‘It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
‘I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
‘By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.
‘Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
‘As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.’
Poignant tributes were made as Liverpool’s players took to the field for the first time since Jota’s passing for their pre-season clash with Preston North End earlier this month.
A live performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone ahead of kick-off was accompanied by members of Arne Slot’s first-team squad laying a wreath alongside Liverpool’s away support at Deepdale.
A minute’s silence was also observed, while both sets of players wore black armbands in memory of the two brothers.
