The family of late footballer Diogo Jota continue to navigate life without him, and this week his widow, Rute Cardoso, shared an emotional tribute as the couple’s youngest child reached her first birthday. It was a milestone the Liverpool and Portugal star had looked forward to celebrating, but one he tragically never lived to see.

Jota died at just 28 years old in a devastating car accident in July, alongside his brother Andre Silva. The pair were travelling in Jota’s Lamborghini when a tyre failure caused the car to catch fire, leaving the football world stunned and heartbroken. His death came only days after a joyful celebration of love—he and Rute had married just 11 days before the accident.

On Instagram, Rute honoured both her daughter and the father she will grow up without. She posted a collection of once-private family photographs that captured Jota in tender moments with his baby girl: holding her close with pride, beaming as he carried her out of the hospital on the day she was born, and matching in soft pink outfits as they posed as a family of three.

Her message was simple but gut-wrenching:
“A whole year.”

Those three words encapsulated their joy as parents, as well as the enormity of the loss that followed.

Messages of love and support from fans, friends and the wider footballing community poured in beneath the post. One supporter wrote: “Wish he was still here to raise his baby girl. We will never ever forget you, Diogo.” Another commented: “Scrolling and crying. Your family deserves every happiness possible.” Others reminded Rute that her grief is shared: “Football is nothing in moments like these. We’re all with you.”

Diogo and Rute’s relationship began long before his rise to global football fame. They met as teenagers at school in Portugal, building a life together slowly and privately while his career took off. Over 13 years together, they welcomed two sons—Dinis and Duarte—before their daughter arrived last year.

Their wedding in Portugal was a celebration not only of their relationship but of a future they thought was just beginning. They called it a moment they would “never forget.” In truth, it now carries a heartbreaking double meaning.

On the one-month anniversary of their marriage, still in the earliest days of grief, Rute shared another message to her husband:
“1 month of our ‘until death do us part’. Forever, your white girl.”

The words reflected the shock of a life that had changed so drastically and so suddenly.

Jota’s skills and dedication won him admirers across football. After stints at Paços de Ferreira, Atlético Madrid and Wolves, he joined Liverpool in 2020 and quickly became a fan favourite for his sharp finishing, relentless energy, and quiet humility.

He was travelling back to the UK from Portugal for pre-season training when the fatal accident occurred—still so committed to his sport and the club that embraced him.

Liverpool’s reaction to his passing demonstrated just how deeply he had impacted the team and community. The club made the extraordinary decision to retire his No. 20 shirt across all their teams, a rare and meaningful gesture in football. Before their opening Premier League match of the season, Anfield fell silent as players and supporters paid tribute in an emotional minute’s silence in Jota’s honour.

Fans also created a new tradition: every match, in the 20th minute, the stadium echoes with applause and Jota’s song, ensuring his presence remains woven into every game.

Beyond the pitch, Jota’s legacy lives most strongly in his three children. His daughter—still too young to understand what has happened—will grow up surrounded by memories lovingly preserved by her family and supported by a football world determined to keep her father’s name alive.

Rute’s posts serve as both private remembrance and public testament to the man Jota was—devoted father, loving husband, and someone who remained grounded despite fame. Her decision to share these moments invites supporters to grieve alongside her, and to celebrate the life he lived rather than focus only on how it ended.

The overwhelming response to her messages also reflects how deeply Jota connected with fans. Admired for his professionalism and talent, he was equally respected for his warmth, his loyalty to friends and teammates, and the love he openly shared with his family.

Every milestone will be a reminder of his absence: birthdays, first steps, first words. But for the Cardoso-Jota family, each one will also be a moment to remember his smile, his laugh, and the way he embraced fatherhood so completely.

As supporters continue their tributes and his family marks both joyful and painful anniversaries, one thing remains unquestioned: Diogo Jota will never be forgotten.

His legacy remains alive in Liverpool chants, in Portugal’s football history, and most importantly, in the hearts of those who loved him most.