Andy Robertson’s return to the World Cup with Scotland will now come with an emotional promise attached to it.
The Scotland captain recently received a deeply moving letter from Rute Cardoso, the widow of Diogo Jota, as part of FIFA’s “Letters that Unite” series. Robertson and Jota were close during their time together at Liverpool, and their friendship clearly stayed with Robertson long after Jota’s passing.
When Scotland finally booked their place at the World Cup, Robertson admitted afterward that Jota had been on his mind throughout the day. It was a powerful moment because the two had often spoken about the dream of playing at the tournament.
Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, has written a letter to Scotland captain Andy Robertson ahead of the World Cup.
She thanks Robertson for his friendship, and for preserving Diogo's memory. Robertson adds he'll have Jota at the forefront of his mind.🙏 pic.twitter.com/h5KsfPyCCx— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 8, 2026
Rute’s letter was her way of thanking Robertson for remembering that bond. She wrote about the conversations, laughs, challenges, and shared ambitions the two players had built together. More importantly, she told Robertson that by reaching the World Cup, he was also carrying part of Jota with him. The message clearly hit hard.
Robertson later said he was touched that Rute would take the time to write to him while still dealing with so much pain herself. He described it as a reflection of the kind of person she is and said the letter is something he will keep with him for a long time.
He also spoke about how close he and Jota became around the 2022 World Cup period, when neither of them was able to be involved the way they wanted. From there, the idea of making the next tournament became something they shared. Now Robertson will get that chance, but not in the way either of them would have imagined.
Caean Couto-Imagn Images
For the Scotland captain, this World Cup is no longer just about national pride or ending a long wait. It is also about honoring a friend whose dream remains part of his own.
As Robertson put it, he will not be playing only for himself. He will be playing for both of them.