EXCLUSIVE: Rute Cardoso Discovers Torn Letter in Diogo Jota’s Jacket Pocket – A Haunting Message from Days Before the Tragic Crash

In a heart-wrenching discovery, Rute Cardoso, the widow of Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota, found a torn letter hidden in the pocket of her late husband’s old jacket. The letter, dated just three days before the fatal car crash that claimed the lives of Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, on July 3, 2025, contained the cryptic and haunting words, “This wasn’t supposed to happen,” scribbled in shaky handwriting. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the football community and beyond, raising questions about Jota’s state of mind in the days leading up to the tragedy.

A Love Story Cut Short

Diogo Jota and Rute Cardoso’s love story began in their teenage years in Porto, Portugal, where they met in 2012 or 2013. Childhood sweethearts, their bond grew through shared moments of simplicity—long bus rides to school and pick-up football games in local parks. Rute, a private yet steadfast presence, followed Jota as his career took him from Paços de Ferreira to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finally to Liverpool in 2020. The couple, both 28, married on June 22, 2025, in an intimate ceremony at an eighteenth-century estate outside Porto, surrounded by their three young children—sons Denis and Duarte, and a daughter born in November 2024.

Just 11 days after their wedding, tragedy struck. Jota and his brother André, a professional footballer for Portugal’s second-tier club Penafiel, were killed when their Lamborghini Huracan veered off the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, in northwestern Spain. The crash, which occurred around 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, was attributed to a burst tire during an overtaking maneuver, causing the vehicle to flip, crash into the central reservation, and burst into flames. Spanish authorities later suggested that Jota, believed to be the driver, may have been speeding, complicating the investigation due to the fire’s intensity.

The Discovery of the Letter

According to sources close to the family, Rute Cardoso was sorting through Jota’s belongings in their Porto home when she found the letter tucked inside a jacket he often wore during his travels. The note, dated June 30, 2025, was written on a single sheet of paper, torn at the edges as if handled repeatedly or ripped in distress. The handwriting, described as shaky and uneven, was unmistakably Jota’s. The phrase “This wasn’t supposed to happen” was scrawled across the page, accompanied by fragmented sentences that sources have not fully disclosed, citing the family’s request for privacy.

The letter’s contents have sparked intense speculation. Was Jota referring to a personal struggle, a premonition, or an unrelated event? The ambiguity of the message, combined with its timing—three days before the crash—has left those close to Jota grappling with its meaning. Rute, who identified her husband’s body after the crash and was seen breaking down outside the funeral home, has not commented publicly on the letter. However, a family friend, speaking anonymously, said, “Rute is devastated. Finding this note has reopened wounds that were already unbearable. She’s trying to protect their children while processing this herself.”

Jota’s Final Days

The days leading up to the crash were a whirlwind of joy and achievement for Jota. On June 8, 2025, he played his final match for Portugal, helping them secure the UEFA Nations League title against Spain in Munich. The victory capped a dream summer that included his wedding to Rute, a moment he celebrated on Instagram with the caption, “Yes, forever.” Rute’s own post, shared hours before the crash, featured a wedding video with their children racing among tables and friends tossing white petals. Her caption read, “A day we will never forget,” to which Jota replied, “But I’m the lucky one.”

Yet, the letter suggests an undercurrent of unease. Jota had undergone a minor lung procedure, which reportedly led doctors to advise against flying. This prompted him and André to drive from Porto to Santander, where they planned to catch a ferry to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The journey, undertaken in a Lamborghini Huracan, ended in catastrophe. Spanish police noted tire marks stretching 100 meters from the point of impact, indicating a high-speed incident.

The Football World Mourns

Jota’s death sent shockwaves through the football community. Liverpool, where Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and helped win the Premier League, FA Cup, and two Carabao Cups, issued a statement expressing their devastation. Manager Arne Slot described Jota as “the essence of what a Liverpool player should be,” while former manager Jürgen Klopp wrote, “This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can’t see it!”

Tributes poured in from global figures, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “senseless,” and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who paid his respects alongside Portugal’s Luís Montenegro. At Anfield, fans laid flowers, scarves, and shirts behind the Main Stand, with one placard reading, “Diogo lives forever.” A minute’s silence was observed at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches, and Liverpool fans called for Jota’s No. 20 shirt to be retired, a first for the club.

The funeral on July 5 in Gondomar, held in the same church where Jota and Rute married, was attended by football luminaries like Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Portugal manager Roberto Martínez. Rute, visibly distraught, helped carry Jota’s coffin, leaning on it as the procession moved forward. The service underscored the brothers’ deep ties to their hometown and the sport they loved.

Theories and Questions

The letter’s cryptic message has fueled speculation about Jota’s final days. Some wonder if it reflected personal concerns—perhaps related to his recent surgery or the pressures of his career. Others speculate it could hint at a mechanical issue with the car, though no evidence supports this. The Spanish Guardia Civil’s ongoing investigation has focused on speed and the tire blowout, with a final report still pending. The fire’s intensity has made forensic analysis challenging, leaving many questions unanswered.

Mental health advocates have also pointed to the letter as a reminder of the pressures athletes face. Jota, known for his humility and generosity, was a role model both on and off the pitch. Former teammate Harvey Elliott described him as “humble, hardworking, kind, and always there for anyone.” Yet, the shaky handwriting suggests a moment of vulnerability, prompting calls for greater support for athletes navigating fame, family, and personal challenges.

Rute’s Resilience and Legacy

Rute Cardoso, now raising three children under five, faces an unimaginable future. Her strength has been evident in her quiet dignity—relocating with Jota to Wolverhampton and Liverpool, transforming rented flats into family homes, and standing by him through a decade of triumphs and setbacks. Her final Instagram post before the crash, celebrating Liverpool’s Premier League win, showed the family united on the Anfield pitch. Now, she must navigate grief while preserving Jota’s legacy for their children.

The football world has rallied around Rute and her family. Liverpool has pledged ongoing support, and fans have launched initiatives to honor Jota, including proposals for a permanent memorial at Anfield. Portuguese football authorities have vowed to celebrate Jota and André’s contributions, with UEFA confirming moments of silence at future matches.

A Lasting Impact

Diogo Jota’s life was a testament to resilience, talent, and love. From Porto’s youth academies to Anfield’s Kop, he inspired millions with his skill and character. The discovery of the torn letter adds a layer of mystery to his final days, but it does not overshadow his legacy. As Rute Cardoso navigates this loss, the words “This wasn’t supposed to happen” echo as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility. Jota’s memory endures in the hearts of fans, teammates, and a grieving family, forever etched in the anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”