Lisbon, July 4, 2025 – The tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal striker Diogo Jota in a car accident in Spain has shocked the football world. Rumors of an alleged suicide note left by the player emerged, but were categorically denied by both Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife, and Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of the Portuguese national team, who condemned the speculation as “false and disrespectful.”

Rute Cardoso, in a moving statement posted on social media, expressed her pain and outrage at the rumors: “It is cruel and inhumane to invent something like this at a time of such sadness. There is no suicide note. Diogo was a man full of life, an incredible husband and a devoted father to our children. I ask that you respect our family and his memory.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, who shared moments with Jota in the Portuguese national team, including winning the UEFA Nations League in 2025, reinforced the denial and offered his condolences: “I am outraged by these lies about Diogo. There is no letter, and spreading these rumors is a lack of respect for him, for Rute and for the entire family. Rute, you have my full support in clarifying the truth. To the family of Diogo and André, I send my deepest condolences. Strength to overcome this loss. Rest in peace, Diogo, and also André. You will always be in our hearts.”

The accident that took the lives of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva occurred in the early hours of Thursday, on the A-52 highway, near Cernadilla, in Spain. According to the Guardia Civil, the Lamborghini they were traveling in suffered a tire blowout while overtaking, left the road and caught fire.

Jota, 28, leaves behind his wife, Rute Cardoso, whom he married on June 22, and three young children. Tributes have continued to pour in from clubs including Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Porto, as well as figures such as Jürgen Klopp. The family reiterates their request for privacy to deal with this irreparable loss.