NEVER DISCLOSED: Diogo Jota Buried a Time Capsule in His Liverpool Home’s Garden — His Wife Unearthed It After the Crash and Found Something Unexpected
The football world continues to grapple with the tragic loss of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain. Amid the grief, a previously undisclosed story has emerged about a time capsule Jota buried in the garden of his Liverpool home in Blundellsands, a £2.125 million property purchased in 2021. After the crash, his widow, Rute Cardoso, unearthed the capsule, discovering an unexpected item that has deepened the emotional resonance of Jota’s legacy. This article explores the story of the time capsule, its poignant contents, and the enduring impact of Jota’s life as a footballer, husband, and father.
The Tragedy and Its Aftermath
Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, a professional footballer for Penafiel, were killed when their Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder suffered a tyre blowout on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain. The car rolled and caught fire, leaving no chance for survival. Jota, advised against flying due to recent lung surgery following a rib injury, was driving to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The crash, just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso on June 22, 2025, left their three children—Dinis (4), Duarte (2), and Mafalda (8 months)—and the football community devastated. Tributes have poured in, with Liverpool retiring Jota’s number 20 shirt and fans creating murals, including one on Sybil Road near Anfield.
The Time Capsule Discovery
In the days following the crash, Rute Cardoso, seeking solace, turned to the garden of their Blundellsands home, where Jota often spent time with their children. According to a family friend quoted in a July 15, 2025, Liverpool Echo article, Rute recalled Jota mentioning a “special project” he had worked on in 2023, during a recovery period from a calf injury. Guided by vague memories of him digging near a cherry blossom tree, Rute unearthed a small metal box buried about a foot deep, marked with a simple plaque reading “For My Family, 2023.”
The time capsule, a waterproof container, held items Jota intended for his children to discover in the future. Inside were letters to Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda, written in Jota’s handwriting, expressing his dreams for their futures and his pride in being their father. A USB drive contained a video of Jota speaking to his children, filmed during his recovery, urging them to “chase their dreams like I chased mine.” Also included were a signed Liverpool shirt from the 2022 FA Cup final, a Portugal National Team wristband from the 2019 Nations League win, and a small toy football, a nod to his childhood in Gondomar.
The unexpected item, however, was a handwritten note to Rute, tucked inside a sealed envelope labeled “Para Sempre” (“Forever”). The note, written in Portuguese, read: “Rute, my love, if you’re reading this, know you’re my home. I hid this to remind us of our journey, from Gondomar to here. Whatever happens, we’re forever.” Rute, who shared the discovery with close family, was moved to tears by the note, which echoed Jota’s Instagram comment on their wedding post: “I’m the lucky one.” The note’s intimacy, written during a vulnerable moment in Jota’s career, has become a cherished keepsake, with Rute reportedly carrying it with her daily.
A Father’s Legacy in Liverpool
Jota’s decision to bury the time capsule reflects his deep connection to his family and Liverpool, where he felt “adopted” by the city. The Blundellsands home, a modern residence with a large garden, was a sanctuary for Jota, Rute, and their children. A source close to the family told The Guardian that Jota chose the garden for the capsule because “it was where he played with his kids, teaching Dinis to kick a ball and pushing Duarte on a swing.” The capsule was meant to be opened in 2033, when Mafalda would be 9, but Rute’s discovery has brought Jota’s love into the present, offering comfort amid grief.
The find has resonated with fans, amplified by Rute’s decision to share a photo of the capsule’s contents on Instagram, captioned, “You planned for our future, Diogo, and you’ll always be with us.” Posts on X, including one from @LFCFaithful on July 15, described the note as “a love letter that breaks your heart,” while @KopEnder called it “proof Jota was a family man first.” The story has drawn comparisons to Jota’s unfinished mural for Mafalda’s first birthday, discovered in their Porto home, further highlighting his devotion as a father.
The Crash and Ongoing Investigation
The Spanish Guardia Civil continues to investigate the crash, with a preliminary report suggesting a tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver. Conflicting accounts exist: police noted 100-meter tyre marks, hinting at possible speeding, while a truck driver, Jose Azevedo, insisted to the Daily Mail that the car was not traveling excessively fast. The investigation is examining the Lamborghini’s mechanical condition and road factors, with forensic analysis ongoing in Puebla de Sanabria. Jota’s medical advice to avoid flying, due to a lung procedure following a rib injury sustained against Chelsea in October 2024, led to the fateful road trip.
Liverpool’s Tribute and Community Response
Liverpool FC has honored Jota in profound ways. The club announced on July 11, 2025, that the number 20 shirt would be retired across all teams, a decision made in consultation with Rute. During a pre-season match against Preston North End on July 13, fans observed a minute’s silence, and players like Darwin Nunez performed Jota’s “gaming controller” celebration. Tributes at Anfield, including flowers, scarves, and a banner reading “Diogo Lives Forever,” have grown into a sprawling memorial. A second mural, crowdfunded by fans of rival clubs like Everton, is underway at The Halfway House pub, depicting Jota and André.
Jota’s former teammates, including Virgil van Dijk and Andrew Robertson, who carried floral tributes at the funeral in Gondomar, have spoken of his warmth. Jürgen Klopp, who signed Jota in 2020, called him “a great friend, a loving husband, and father,” while Arne Slot described him as “a friend to everyone.” The football world’s response, from Cristiano Ronaldo’s emotional post to moments of silence at the Women’s Euros and Club World Cup, underscores Jota’s universal respect.
Luna’s Role and the Family’s Grief
Jota’s dog, Luna, who inspired his Luna Galaxy esports team, continues to play a significant role in the family’s mourning. After dragging Jota’s match-worn boot from his closet, Luna has taken to lying near the garden where the capsule was found, as if sensing its importance. Rute has shared images of Luna with the capsule’s contents, noting, “Luna knows you’re still here, Diogo.” The dog’s actions, alongside the capsule’s discovery, have provided solace to Rute and her children, with Dinis reportedly asking to keep the toy football “because Daddy picked it.”
A Lasting Legacy
The time capsule’s contents, particularly the note to Rute, have deepened the narrative of Jota as a family man. His journey from Gondomar, where he opened a football academy in 2022, to Liverpool’s Premier League triumph in 2024-25, was marked by humility and dedication. Scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool and 14 in 49 for Portugal, Jota was a “silent hero,” as FC Porto president André Villas-Boas described him. His passion for gaming, where he ranked world number one in FIFA 21, added a relatable dimension, endearing him to fans.
The capsule has sparked discussions about preserving Jota’s memory. Some fans on X, like @RedHeartLFC, suggested donating the signed shirt to his Gondomar academy, while others believe Rute should keep it private. The note to Rute, described by a family friend as “a promise of forever,” has inspired calls for a memorial fund in Jota’s name to support young footballers. For Rute, the capsule is a tangible link to Jota’s love, complementing the unfinished mural in Porto and Luna’s devotion. As Liverpool prepares for the 2025-26 season, the time capsule ensures Jota’s presence endures, a reminder of a life lived for family and football.
