SHOCKING FIND: Childhood Pendant Found in Diogo Jota’s Hand Contains Photo of Unknown Girl, Not Rute Cardoso

In a stunning and perplexing development, investigators have revealed that a childhood pendant was found clutched in the hand of Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota following the tragic car crash that claimed his life and that of his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025. The pendant, discovered during the forensic examination of Jota’s remains in Zamora, Spain, contained a small photograph—not of his wife, Rute Cardoso, but of an unidentified young girl. This revelation, reported on July 27, 2025, adds another layer of mystery to a series of haunting discoveries, including a cryptic letter, a USB drive with audio files, a leaked CCTV video, and a partially recovered voicemail, all of which have deepened the enigma surrounding Jota’s final moments.

The Pendant and Its Contents

According to sources close to the Spanish Guardia Civil, the pendant was a small, silver locket, worn and weathered, suggesting it held significant sentimental value. It was found in Jota’s hand during the post-crash forensic analysis in Puebla de Sanabria, where the brothers’ bodies were taken for identification. Inside the locket was a faded photograph of a young girl, estimated to be in her early teens, with no identifying marks or inscriptions. Investigators have confirmed the girl is not Rute Cardoso, Jota’s childhood sweetheart and wife of just 11 days at the time of his death. The identity of the girl remains unknown, and the discovery has sparked intense speculation about her connection to Jota and the significance of the pendant.

The pendant is believed to date back to Jota’s childhood in Gondomar, Portugal, where he grew up playing football at the local SC Gondomar academy alongside André. A family friend, speaking anonymously, described it as an item Jota had kept since his youth, possibly from his early teens, though its exact origin is unclear. The presence of the locket in Jota’s hand at the time of the crash suggests he may have been holding it during the drive, perhaps moments before the Lamborghini Huracan veered off the A-52 motorway, flipped, and burst into flames after a suspected tire blowout.

Context of the Crash and Prior Discoveries

The crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, as Jota and André were driving from Porto to Santander to catch a ferry to England, a journey necessitated by Jota’s recent lung procedure, which prevented him from flying. Spanish authorities initially attributed the accident to a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, possibly at high speed, though Portuguese lorry drivers José Aleixo Duarte and Jose Azevedo, who witnessed the crash, claimed the car was moving at a “moderate” pace on a poorly maintained road.

Since the tragedy, a series of discoveries has raised questions about Jota’s state of mind and the circumstances of the crash:

Torn Letter (July 20): Rute Cardoso found a letter dated June 30, 2025, in Jota’s jacket pocket, with the words “This wasn’t supposed to happen” written in shaky handwriting, suggesting distress or foreboding.

USB Drive (July 26): One of Jota’s sons, Dinis or Duarte, discovered a USB labeled “RJ-171” in a childhood toy box, containing a folder titled “Insurance – Audio Proof” with a file timestamped at 12:23 a.m., seven minutes before the crash.

CCTV Footage (July 27): Leaked footage from a gas station 27 kilometers from the crash site showed Jota with an unidentified second individual, contradicting assumptions that only he and André were in the car.

Voicemail (July 27): A recovered voicemail from Jota to Rute, retrieved from backup servers, featured a rushed message ending mid-sentence after “Don’t let them kn—”, hinting at a warning or urgent concern.

The pendant’s discovery now adds a deeply personal element to the investigation, suggesting Jota may have been reflecting on his past or grappling with unresolved emotions in his final moments.

Theories About the Pendant and the Unknown Girl

The photograph of the unknown girl has prompted widespread speculation about her identity and significance:

A Childhood Friend or Relative? The pendant’s age and the girl’s apparent youth suggest she could be someone from Jota’s early years in Gondomar, possibly a close friend, cousin, or distant relative. Jota grew up in a tight-knit community, and the locket may represent a cherished memory from his childhood at SC Gondomar or his family’s neighborhood in Foz de Sousa.

A Lost Love? Some speculate the girl could be a former romantic interest from Jota’s teenage years, before he began dating Rute in 2012 or 2013. However, Jota’s devotion to Rute, whom he married on June 22, 2025, and their three children—Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda—makes this theory controversial and unsupported by known evidence.

A Symbolic Connection? The pendant might hold symbolic or emotional significance unrelated to romance, such as a tribute to a friend who passed away or a figure from Jota’s youth who inspired him. The fact that he was holding it suggests it was on his mind during the drive, possibly tied to the cryptic letter or voicemail.

Link to “RJ-171” or the Voicemail? The pendant could be connected to the USB’s “RJ-171” label or the voicemail’s incomplete warning, “Don’t let them kn—”. The initials “RJ” might refer to the girl in the photo, or the pendant could be part of the “Insurance – Audio Proof” Jota was documenting. The second individual in the CCTV footage might also have knowledge of the pendant’s significance.

A Premonition or Emotional Anchor? Given the letter’s tone and the voicemail’s urgency, Jota may have been holding the pendant as a source of comfort or in response to a sense of impending danger. The photograph’s presence, rather than one of Rute or his children, raises questions about what he was reflecting on in his final moments.

Investigation and Family Response

The Spanish Guardia Civil, preparing a final report for the Puebla de Sanabria court, has added the pendant to its investigation, alongside the USB audio files, CCTV footage, and voicemail. The photograph is being analyzed for clues about the girl’s identity, though its age and condition may complicate efforts. Authorities are also exploring whether the pendant connects to the second individual seen in the CCTV footage or the audio files, which remain undisclosed by Rute and her legal team.

Rute Cardoso, 28, is reportedly devastated by the pendant’s discovery, particularly as it contains a photo of someone other than her. Sources close to the family say she is struggling to process this alongside the letter, USB, and voicemail, all while raising her three children under five. Rute, who helped carry Jota’s coffin at the funeral on July 5 in Gondomar, has not commented publicly, but her legal advisors are reportedly examining the pendant’s significance in the context of the crash investigation. The family’s request for privacy has been echoed by Liverpool FC, which continues to support Rute and her children.

Public and Football Community Reaction

The pendant’s discovery has sent shockwaves through the football world, already reeling from Jota’s death. Social media platforms like Reddit and X are abuzz with theories, with some fans speculating about a hidden past and others urging respect for Rute’s privacy. Posts on X suggest the girl could be a childhood friend from Gondomar or a figure tied to Jota’s early football days, though no verified information supports these claims. The football community, including Liverpool teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot, has remained focused on honoring Jota’s legacy, with tributes at Anfield and calls to retire his No. 20 shirt.

The discovery has also reignited discussions about the crash’s causes. While police initially pointed to a tire blowout and possible speeding, the lorry drivers’ accounts and the new evidence—letter, USB, CCTV, voicemail, and now the pendant—suggest a more complex narrative. Some fans question whether Jota was distracted by emotional concerns, possibly related to the pendant or the voicemail’s warning, though no evidence confirms this.

Unanswered Questions

The pendant raises more questions than answers:

Who is the girl in the photo? Her identity and connection to Jota remain unknown, with possibilities ranging from a childhood friend to a symbolic figure.

Why was Jota holding the pendant? Its presence in his hand suggests it was significant in his final moments, possibly linked to the letter’s “This wasn’t supposed to happen” or the voicemail’s “Don’t let them kn—”.

Does it connect to other evidence? The pendant may relate to the USB’s “RJ-171” label, the second individual in the CCTV footage, or the audio files, which could contain clues about Jota’s concerns.

What impact will this have on Rute? The discovery of a photo of another girl adds emotional strain to Rute’s grief, potentially complicating her understanding of Jota’s final days.

A Legacy Tinged with Mystery

Diogo Jota, whose 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances and UEFA Nations League triumphs in 2019 and 2025 cemented his status as a football icon, left behind a legacy of talent and humility. The pendant, found in his hand with a photo of an unknown girl, joins a series of discoveries that paint a picture of a man possibly burdened by unspoken concerns. As Rute Cardoso and investigators seek clarity, the football world mourns a hero whose final moments remain shrouded in mystery, forever tied to the haunting refrain, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”