Even Those Who Don’t Like Football Are Stunned By Diogo Jota’s Final Post Before Passing At 28

Diogo Jota’s final Instagram post was dedicated to his wedding to his high school sweetheart, Rute Cardoso.

“A day we will never forget 🤍”  the Portuguese footballer captioned the post hours before the car accident that claimed his and his brother André’s lives in northern Spain.

Diogo and Rute had been married for only two weeks before the tragedy.

The couple had three children together: four-year-old Denis, two-year-old Duarte, and 8-month Mafalda.

Footballer Diogo Jota dedicated his final social media post to his wife of two weeks, Rute Cardoso

Soccer player Diogo Jota in Liverpool kit on the field, highlighting the reminder of life's fragility and heartbreak.

Image credits: Liverpool FC/Getty Images

The Liverpool forward shared a video of his wedding to Rute in Porto, their home city. It showed the couple getting ready for their nuptials, having fun on the dance floor with their loved ones, and gazing into each other’s eyes.

At the start of the footage, a voiceover says, “Dear Rute, dear Diogo, today is a day that will mark your lives for the rest of your days.

“This is the only day that you have been able to get together, at the same time, in the same place [with] your family, your friends, to celebrate what truly matters, which is love.”

Bride and groom smiling and showing wedding rings, a reminder of life's fragility in a heartfelt moment.

Image credits: rutecfcardoso14

Rute also posted a photo of herself in her wedding dress, which she captioned, “My dream came true 🤍.”

Diogo left a romantic comment on the Instagram post: “But I’m the lucky one 😍.”

The late athlete posted footage from the wedding and wrote, “A day we will never forget 🤍”

Bride in a wedding dress holding a bouquet, symbolizing reminder of life's fragility and emotional heartbreak.

Image credits: diogoj_18

Football fans were left devastated by the news, with one user expressing, “The more I read about it, the less I believe it. I’m in shock.”

“I’m gutted, I wake up and the first thing I see is the news of their passing… My sleep vanished in an instant… What a bloody unfair life,” shared another user.

“Life is very unfair, cherish every moment, lads. It’s a real shame,” said someone else.

Man in a formal navy suit standing indoors, reflecting on life's fragility with a solemn and thoughtful expression.

Image credits: diogoj_18

Diogo’s passing comes after his Lamborghini veered off the A-52 in the Spanish province of Zamora. The 28-year-old was traveling with his fellow footballer brother, 26-year-old André Silva, who also lost his life.

The accident happened at around 00:30 local time. According to Spain’s Guardia Civil, the car left the road due to a tire blowout while overtaking another car. The vehicle then caught fire.

According to reports by Portuguese media, Diogo and André were driving to Santander to catch a ferry to England.

The 28-year-old had recently undergone lung surgery and had been advised not to fly to the UK. He was due to return to pre-season training with Liverpool on Monday (July 7).

The high school sweethearts tied the knot in their native Porto in Portugal

Bride and groom in wedding attire standing close near ancient stone arches, symbolizing reminder of life's fragility.

Image credits: diogoj_18

Comment expressing heartbreak with broken heart and crying emojis in response to Diogo Jota's final post.

User comment expressing heartbreak and pain over reminder of life’s fragility following Diogo Jota’s final post before passing.

In a 2016 interview, Rute shared what her relationship with Diogo was like when they were both high school students.

“He was diligent on the one hand, and disinterested on the other,” she said.

“He managed to get good grades, but without studying much.”

Diogo and Rute had three children together: Denis, Duare, and Mafalda

Wedding photo in an ornate church symbolizing reminder of life’s fragility and heartbreak over Diogo Jota’s final post.

Image credits: rutecfcardoso14

The then 19-year-old spoke about missing her future husband after he left Portugal to play for Spain’s Atlético de Madrid.

“I’m anxious. Diogo only left this week, but I already miss him,” she told local media.

“On the other hand, it’s going to be complicated, because I have two very young nephews and it’s going to be hard to be away from them.”

At the time, the couple had been dating for four years, so she said “it made sense” to follow Diogo and move to Spain with him.

Bride and groom celebrating outside a church with confetti falling, symbolizing a reminder of life's fragility and heartbreak emotions.

Image credits: rutecfcardoso14

“In addition to being his girlfriend and best friend, I’m his number one fan, I want to be there.”

In 2019, the late footballer dedicated an Instagram post to Rute, sharing a photo of the couple on the pitch.

“From the beginning until the end,” he captioned the post. “Thank you all for the amazing support this season. We did it together.”

Rute said in a 2016 interview that she was Diogo’s “best friend and number one fan”

Diogo Jota smiling with a woman in a casual setting, capturing a reminder of life's fragility before his passing.

Image credits: rutecfcardoso14

In 2023, Rute accused Premier League officials of “rigging” a match between Diogo’s Liverpool and Tottenham.

Her social media post reportedly resulted in two VAR (Video Assistant Referee) officials being removed from upcoming games.

Diogo was a key part of the Liverpool team that won the Premier League last season. He also played in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain, which Portugal won.

André played as an attacking midfielder for Penafiel, a club in Portugal’s second division, Liga Portugal 2.

Diogo Jota with family on football pitch, highlighting reminder of life's fragility and heartbreak before passing at 28.

Image credits: rutecfcardoso14

Diogo’s club and Portuguese international teammates paid tribute to the late athlete on social media.

Fellow Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo said the tragedy “doesn’t make any sense.”

“Just now we were together in the national team, you had just got married,” he wrote, before sending his condolences to Jota’s family. “I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will miss you.”

Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa stated, “There are no words, rest in peace.”

Diogo lost his life at age 28 following a car accident in northern Spain, while he was traveling with his 26-year-old brother, André, who also passed

Two young men in blue and white FC Porto jerseys standing inside an empty stadium, symbolizing reminder of life's fragility.

Image credits: FC Porto

Crash site where Portuguese football player Diogo Jota had a car accident and died in Spain. #diogojota#RIPJotapic.twitter.com/YlypOTLuTv

— Abhijit Pathak (@aajtakabhijit) July 3, 2025

Liverpool forward Darwin Núñez shared, “There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.

“I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.

“May you rest in peace. Diogo and Andre.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Diogo Jota (@diogoj_18)

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he was “heartbroken” over Diogo’s passing, adding that he “was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.”

Penafiel FC wrote, “The loss of two such young lives fills us with pain and dismay” and expressesed their condolences to the brothers’ family and friends.

Fans have gathered outside Anfield, Liverpool’s stadium, to lay flowers and pay tribute to Diogo.

People were stunned by the tragic news and offered their condolences to Diogo and André’s family

Tweet expressing heartbreak and reminder of life's fragility following Diogo Jota's final post before passing at 28.

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Twitter reply expressing heartbreak over the fragility of life after news of Diogo Jota's passing at age 28.

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User tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota's final post as a reminder of life's fragility before tragic news.

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User Kevin replying to a tweet about Diogo Jota's final post, expressing sadness and heartbreak over life's fragility.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota's final post, highlighting reminder of life's fragility with a broken heart emoji.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota's final post, highlighting reminder of life’s fragility and loss at 28.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota's passing, highlighting life's fragility and sending love to his family.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak and condolences over Diogo Jota's final post, highlighting life's fragility and grief at 28 years old.

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User's tweet expressing heartbreak and prayers for strength after Diogo Jota's final post highlights life's fragility and loss.

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Twitter post expressing heartbreak over the loss, reflecting on life's fragility after Diogo Jota's passing at 28.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota’s final post, highlighting reminder of life’s fragility and family pain.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota's passing, offering prayers for his family during this tragic time.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak over Diogo Jota's final Instagram post, highlighting reminder of life's fragility and sudden loss.

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Tweet expressing heartbreak and reminder of life's fragility after Diogo Jota's passing at age 28.

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