Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who has died in a car crash at the age of 28, was a devoted family man who adored his supportive wife, Rute Cardoso. They got married just 11 days before the tragedy

Diogo Jota had been living his “dream” life both on and off the pitch before tragedy struck.

The Liverpool forward died in a devastating road traffic accident in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday morning. He is survived by his three children and devoted wife Rute Cardoso, with the couple celebrating a huge milestone just days before the horror crash.

Jota’s younger brother, Andre Silva, 26, also passed away in the same the accident, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed.

Diogo will be remembered for his extraordinary skills on the football field, with his precision, technical excellence, and unparalleled dribbling abilities elevating him as a stand-out member of the Liverpool squad.

Career accomplishments aside, Diogo enjoyed plenty of happiness in his personal life and married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before his death.

Diogo Jota has died at the age of 28(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Having both attended the same high school in Portugal, Diogo and Rute began dating in 2013, long before the sporting superstar made his senior international debut in 2019.

Rute supported Diogo every step of the way, moving to England in 2017 when Jota was snapped up by Wolverhampton Wanderers. Their adoration for each other and their young family was clear to see, captured in the photographs from their beautiful June wedding.

Diogo and Rute recently tied the knot in Portugal

The former teenage sweethearts first announced their engagement in July 2022, with besotted Diogo getting down on bended knee during a picturesque lakeside dinner. And on June 22 of this year, they said ‘I do’ in a ceremony held in their hometown of Porto, surrounded by family and friends.

The couple welcomed three young children(Image: Instagram)

Stunning pictures shared via Instagram show the couple beaming from ear to ear in front of a church altar, with Rute looking breathtaking in an ivory dress and flowing veil, straight out of a fairytale.

In one photo, they are accompanied by their three adorable children, Dinis, born February 2021; Duarte, born March 2023; and a third child, welcomed in December 2024, whose name has not been publicly revealed.

It was a day of great joy, followed by a night of dancing(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Another snap shows the couple emerging from the church amid a flurry of confetti, embarking on what should have been the first exciting steps of a long and happy life together.

Sharing photographs of herself clutching a pretty pink and cream bouquet, blissful bride Rute told delighted followers on Instagram, “My dream came true”.

Diogo declared, ‘But I’m the lucky one’ after marrying his long-term love(Image: Instagram)

Making his deep affection for his new wife clear, Diogo commented on the post, writing “but I’m the lucky one” before adding a heart-eye emoji. Reflecting on the “day we’ll never forget”, the couple vowed “June 22, 2025. Yes to forever” – a caption that now makes for heartbreaking reading.

Meanwhile, mere hours before his death, Diogo uploaded a video filled with memorable moments from their special day.

Followers were offered a glimpse at the ornate church where they exchanged their vows, while another part of the clip showed Rute looking out above the red rooftops of Porto, a city that clearly meant so much to them both.

Guests could be seen dancing the night away in what appeared to be a carefree evening of music and togetherness.

Mere hours before his death, Diogo shared footage from his wedding video(Image: Instagram/@diogoj_18)

The most moving shots are those of Diogo and Rute gazing into each other’s eyes, the very picture of newlyweds with everything in the world to look forward to.

The video is introduced with the following poignant voiceover: “Dear Rute, Dear Diogo, today is a day that will mark your lives for the rest of your days.

Friends and family had gathered to celebrate the couple(Image: Instagram/@diogoj_18)

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

Although she keeps a relatively low profile, Rute, who has nearly 80,000 followers on Instagram, regularly updates fans with moments from their family life, from supporting Diogo at matches to cosy Christmases at home and holidays to Lapland.

Devastatingly, their married life was cut far too short

Diogo will be remembered as a dedicated father who found great joy in family life, as well as a gifted footballer. Back in 2019, Rute reflected on her and Diogo’s relationship so far, pledging that “death cannot tear us apart”.

Back in 2019, Rute reflected, ‘We grew up together and we’ll grow old together too!’

Shedding some light on how their romance began, Rute revealed: “Seven years ago, two kids, 15 and 16 years old, began their story. Two friends, same class, that never even dreamed what the future could bring!

“Who would’ve thought that it would turn out like this? Who would’ve thought that seven years later we would have lived in three different countries, visited ten countries, and we still are the same two kids! Happy!

“We know highs and lows, but we keep pushing and overcoming our own goals, holding each other’s hand.”

She added: “We grew up together and we’ll grow old together too! Seven years ago, we said it would be until death tore us apart. Today I say not even death can do that.”

The couple supported each other through life’s obstacles, ‘holding each other’s hand’ every step of the way

After the tragic car crash that stole the lives of Diogo and his brother, emergency services in the Castilla and Leon region confirmed the accident with the following statement: “The 1-1-2 Castilla y León operations room received several calls reporting a vehicle accident at Km. 65 of the A-52, in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora. A car was reported to have been involved in an accident, and the vehicle was on fire.

“1-1-2 notified the Zamora Traffic Police, the Zamora Provincial Council Fire Brigade, and the Sacyl Emergency Coordination Centre (CCU) of this accident. From there, a Medical Emergency Unit (UME) and the Primary Care Medical Staff (MAP) from the Mombuey Health Centre were sent, who confirmed the death of two people on the scene.”

The couple had been together since their teenage years

Article continues below

Meanwhile, Proenca paid tribute “amazing” Diogo and his brother via social media, writing: “The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning, in Spain.

“Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

“On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.

Article continues below

The football star was a devoted family man

“The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute’s silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women’s European Championship.

“Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to, daily, honour their legacy.”