Andy Robertson started in the UEFA Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt (Credits: Imago Images)
Robertson received the deeply personal letter as part of FIFA’s “Letters That Unite” series, connecting him to the memory of his late friend.
Diogo Jota tragically lost his life in a car accident last July, leaving the football world in mourning and Robertson personally devastated by the loss.
The two men were not simply former Liverpool teammates but close friends who shared a bond that extended well beyond the football pitch.
Robertson attended Jota and Rute Cardoso’s wedding just 11 days before the Portuguese forward died, underscoring the depth of their friendship.
Jota’s widow, Rute Cardoso, wrote directly to Robertson with words filled with gratitude, longing, and pride for the Scotland captain.
In the letter, she said: “Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams.”
Cardoso also wrote: “When you step onto the pitch, I know it won’t be just you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.”
She closed the emotional letter by saying: “He would be and is incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.”
Robertson was visibly moved when Scotland qualified for the World Cup in November, shedding tears on the Hampden pitch after the win over Denmark.
Both players had spoken at length about their shared dream of competing at this summer’s tournament in America together.
Scotland are set to play their opening World Cup match against Haiti this weekend, their first appearance at the tournament in 28 years.
Robertson, who recently departed Liverpool for Spurs ahead of the competition, described the letter as something that will stay with him for a very long time.
He said: “It’s amazing of Rute to take the time, for what she’s going through, to write me a letter. But it just sums up the person that she is.”
Robertson also reflected on the bond he and Jota had built around their World Cup ambitions, saying: “We spoke so much about what it would mean to us both to be at the next World Cup. That was the aim for both of us, to get to America.”
He added: “I’m not only just playing for me, I’m playing for both of us,” making clear that Jota’s memory will drive him throughout Scotland’s campaign.
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