Scotland captain Andrew Robertson says he will carry the memory of former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota with him throughout the World Cup after receiving an emotional letter from the Portuguese forwards widow.Jota died in a car accident last July at the age of 28, just months after helping Portugal qualify for the tournament in North America.Despite winning 49 international caps, the forward never had the opportunity to play at a World Cup. Injury ruled him out of Portugals squad for Qatar 2022 and he tragically passed away before the 2026 finals.Table of ContentsJotas widow sends heartfelt messageRobertson: Ill carry him in my heartA dream they both sharedScotland ready for long-awaited returnJotas widow sends heartfelt messageIn a letter published by FIFA, Jotas widow, Rute Cardoso, thanked Robertson for keeping her husbands memory alive and urged him to fulfil a dream the pair had often discussed together.Diogo often spoke about you, she wrote.He spoke about the friendship you built, the challenges you faced together, the conversations you had about football and about your dreams.MILAN, ITALY FEBRUARY 16, 2022:The World Cup was one of those dreams. It was something you both wanted to experience and worked towards with the same passion.When Scotland qualified and I heard what you said afterwards, I realised Diogo had never truly left the pitch.When you walk out at the World Cup, you wont be alone. You will be carrying his dream with you too.Cardoso added that Jota would be proud to see Robertson representing Scotland on footballs biggest stage.Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you.Live that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him.Robertson: Ill carry him in my heartRobertson, who was filmed reading the letter by FIFA, admitted the message would stay with him for a long time.The defender spoke openly about the bond he shared with Jota during their years together at Liverpool and said thoughts of his former team-mate remain close.Ill carry him in my heart, Robertson said.I know hell be with me for the first game, the second game, the third game and hopefully beyond that.Hes always there. The memories never leave you. Sometimes they make you laugh and sometimes they make you cry.Going into a tournament like this, with all the emotion that comes with it, hell be right at the front of my mind.2Y6G9EE Liverpools Diogo Jota celebrates scoring their sides second goal of the game with team-mate Cody Gakpo (right) during the Carabao Cup third round match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Wednesday September 25, 2024.The Scotland captain added: Im not only playing for myself. Im playing for both of us.A dream they both sharedFollowing Scotlands qualification for the World Cup in November, Robertson revealed that Jota was one of the first people he thought about after securing a place at the finals.The pair had often spoken about experiencing the tournament together after both missed out four years earlier.I couldnt get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head, Robertson said at the time.We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland.I know hell be smiling over me today.Scotland ready for long-awaited returnScotland are preparing for their first World Cup appearance since 1998.Steve Clarkes side begin their Group C campaign against Haiti before facing Morocco and Brazil as they attempt to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history. Topics Andy Robertson Diogo Jota Portugal National Football Team Scotland National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup Sweepstake Generator: Will you get England, Brazil, France or Curacao? Jon Fisher 9th June, 2026 Portugal v Nigeria: Line-ups, stats and preview as Selecao round-off World Cup preparations Mitch Fretton 9th June, 2026 World Cup Preview: Ignore Infantino and focus on Messi, Yamal, Mbappe and the sheer joy of the Greatest Show on Earth Jon Fisher 9th June, 2026 Clarke: Scotland have fantastic problems ahead of World Cup Mitch Fretton 7th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Bolivia 0-4 Scotland report, result, goals as Adams scores twice and McTominay shows incredible level in friendly thrashing Ben Miller 6th June, 2026 Rio Ngumoha: Why the Liverpool forward will save club �130 million and has a really big chance this season Ben Miller 6th June, 2026
