Six months have passed since the devastating car crash in Spain that claimed the life of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota at the age of 28. The tragedy struck just 11 days after his joyful wedding to childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, leaving her a widow and their three young children—two boys and a baby girl—fatherless. Now, Rute has broken her silence with a deeply emotional update that has moved fans worldwide.

In a poignant social media post, Rute opened up about the unrelenting pain that haunts her every night. “I still wake up startled, reaching for him, only to remember he’s gone,” she wrote. “The silence in our home is deafening. Every evening, I hear the children calling out ‘Daddy’ in their sleep, and my heart breaks all over again.” The message captures the raw grief of a family shattered in an instant, as the couple had only recently celebrated their dream wedding in Porto after 13 years together.

Diogo, known for his sharp finishing, pace, and infectious smile on the pitch, was more than a footballer—he was a devoted family man. He had three children with Rute: sons Dinis and Duarte, and their youngest daughter, born in late 2024. The accident occurred on a Spanish highway when the Lamborghini carrying Diogo and his brother André Silva suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, veering off the road and bursting into flames. André, a promising player himself, also perished in the blaze. Diogo had been driving due to a recent lung surgery that prevented him from flying.

The football world was left in shock. Liverpool FC, where Diogo scored 65 goals in 182 appearances and helped secure the Premier League title, retired his iconic No. 20 shirt in his honor. Tributes poured in from stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss senseless, and former manager Jürgen Klopp, who spoke of Diogo’s joy and love for his family. Arne Slot, Liverpool’s current boss, emphasized that the club stands with Rute and the children: “You will never walk alone.”

Rute has faced unimaginable challenges, from identifying her husband’s remains amid the wreckage to raising three grieving youngsters alone. Yet, she has found strength in the outpouring of support from fans, who continue to chant Diogo’s name in the 20th minute of every Liverpool match. The club’s gestures, including allowing the children to lead the team out as mascots against Wolves, have provided moments of solace.

Rute’s recent words remind everyone of the human cost behind the headlines: a young mother fighting insomnia and sorrow, while her children long for the father who once filled their home with laughter. “He was our everything,” she reflected. As the family navigates this first Christmas without him, the world continues to hold them in its thoughts, honoring a life cut tragically short but forever remembered in hearts across Anfield and beyond.