Jota will be in Scotland skipper Robertson’s ‘heart’ at World Cup, says widow

PARIS: Diogo Jota’s widow said in a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson she is sure her late husband will be in his “heart” when he leads the side out for their opening match in the World Cup on Saturday.
Jota and Robertson became close friends during their time at Liverpool before the former’s spell there was cruelly cut short when he died, aged 28, in a car crash last July.
Robertson, who ended a trophy-laden nine year spell with Liverpool when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur last Friday, had paid tribute to Jota after the Scots secured their place at the finals for the first time since 1998.
“We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland,” Robertson said last November after the play-off win over Denmark.
“I know he’ll be smiling over me today.”
Rute Cardoso, the mother of Jota’s three children, said in her letter — which FIFA published along with a video of Robertson reading it — his words that night had touched her deeply.
“When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup, after so many years of waiting, I realized that Diogo never truly left the pitch,” wrote Cardoso, who married Jota days before he died alongside his brother Andre Silva.
“By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won’t be going alone.
- ‘Full of emotion’ -
“You’ll be taking his dream with you too. And when you step on to the pitch, I know it won’t just be you walking out.

Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.
“So today, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him.
“Thank you for taking him with you.