"Playing for both of us": Scotland captain Robertson on emotional FIFA World Cup tribute to Diogo Jota
New York, June 9
Scotland captain Andy Robertson has said he will be playing for his late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota at the FIFA World Cup 2026, after receiving a heartfelt letter from the Portuguese forward's widow, Rute Cardoso, ahead of the tournament.
Robertson had earlier shared that his first thoughts went to Jota after Scotland secured World Cup qualification in November, according to Reuters.
On Monday, Robertson also shared a heartfelt message from Rute Cardoso as part of FIFA's "Letters That Unite" initiative.
"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," the letter read, as quoted by Reuters.
"The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured side by side with the same passion with which you took to the pitch. When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch. By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone; you'll be taking his dream with you too," he added.
"I'm not only just playing for me, I'm playing for both of us," he said.
Last year in July, Diogo Jota died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28. At the time of the accident, Jota was travelling with his brother Andre Silva, who also died in the tragic accident.
Scotland will open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Haiti on June 13 in Group C before facing Morocco and Brazil.
Scotland's World Cup 2026 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon, Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly.
Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney.
Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Findlay Curtis, Lewis Ferguson, Tyler Fletcher, Ben Gannon-Doak, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay.
Forwards: Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst, Lawrence Shankland, Ross Stewart.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As a Liverpool fan from India, this hits hard. Jota was such a promising player. I remember watching him score those crucial goals. Robertson's gesture shows what real friendship means - not just on the pitch but in life. Scotland vs Brazil will be emotional.
It's beautiful how football honors those we lose. Aditi and I discussed this - in India we too have similar traditions where players dedicate matches to martyrs or family. Jota's legacy lives on through Robertson's passion. Hope Scotland goes far for him.
While the tribute is heartwarming, I wish the article mentioned more about Scotland's actual chances in Group C. Facing Brazil and Morocco will be tough. But emotional motivation like this can push teams to achieve the unexpected. Just like our underdog stories in Indian sports.
The letter from Rute Cardoso brought tears to my eyes. "You'll be taking his dream with you" - such powerful words. In India, we understand the importance of carrying forward someone's legacy. Jota's family must be proud of how Robertson honored their bond. ❤️
I'm not usually emotional about sports, but this transcends the game. The World Cup is about dreams, and Robertson carrying Jota's dream is the essence of humanity. Scotland's squad looking decent too - could surprise some teams. Proud to see such sportsmanship.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.