BREAKING: Handwritten Note Found in Diogo Jota’s Jacket Pocket by Wife Hints at Unspoken Goodbye

In a heart-wrenching new chapter of the tragedy surrounding the death of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, discovered a handwritten note hidden inside the pocket of his jacket on July 2, 2025, the night before the fatal car crash. The note, found just hours before the accident that claimed both brothers’ lives, ends with a line that now feels like a goodbye Jota never had the chance to say aloud. This exclusive report delves into the details of this poignant discovery, its emotional weight, and its place among the growing list of mysteries surrounding the July 3, 2025, crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway.

The Discovery of the Note

According to a close family source, Rute Cardoso found the note while preparing Jota’s belongings for his trip to Santander, where he and André planned to catch a ferry to the UK. The jacket, described as a dark green bomber Jota often wore, was hanging in their Porto home when Cardoso reached into the pocket and found a folded piece of paper. The note, written in Jota’s handwriting, was addressed to “My Loves”—presumably Cardoso and their three children, Denis, 4, Duarte, 2, and their infant daughter. Its contents, partially shared by the source, reflect Jota’s love for his family and his hopes for their future, but the final line, “If this is the last, know I loved you always,” struck Cardoso as a chilling premonition.

The note was discovered around 9:00 p.m. on July 2, 2025, shortly after Jota spoke with his physiotherapist, Mr. Goncalves, at 8:30 p.m. and Gondomar SC president Alvaro Cerqueira around 10:00 p.m.. Cardoso, unaware of its significance at the time, reportedly set the note aside, intending to discuss it with Jota upon his return. The crash, occurring at 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, near Cernadilla, Zamora, ensured that conversation never happened. The note’s final line, now seen as a farewell, has left Cardoso and those close to her devastated, with the source describing her as “clutching the paper like it was all she had left of him.”

Context of the Crash and Other Clues

The accident occurred when the Lamborghini Huracan, carrying Jota and André, suffered a tire blowout while overtaking on the A-52, causing it to veer off the road and burst into flames. Spanish authorities have noted tire marks suggesting speeds above the 120 km/h (74.5 mph) limit, though Portuguese lorry drivers José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo claimed the car was traveling at a “moderate” pace, pointing to the road’s poor condition as a factor. The ongoing Guardia Civil investigation is examining road faults, tire condition, and potential mechanical issues, with a report due to the Puebla de Sanabria court.

This jacket note is the latest in a series of haunting discoveries. A letter found by Cardoso in their home, dated four hours before the crash, had a redacted final sentence deemed “too disturbing” by police. A dashboard note reading, “If anything happens to me, check the phone,” led to a wiped phone, while an eight-second smartwatch recording sent at 21:13 was described as “stunning.” An unsent letter in Cardoso’s bag at the memorial ended, “If you read this, I probably won’t have had time…,” and a voice memo from Denis asking, “Daddy, why are you always running away?” was recorded at 22:30. These findings, clustered within hours of the crash, suggest Jota was wrestling with something significant, though whether personal, professional, or otherwise remains unclear.

Emotional Weight and Family Grief

Rute Cardoso, who married Jota on June 22, 2025, just 11 days before the crash, has been thrust into a maelstrom of grief. The discovery of the jacket note, following the baby onesie inscribed “Coming Soon 2026” and Denis’s voice memo, has deepened her sorrow. The source described Cardoso reading the note repeatedly, fixating on the final line, which now feels like Jota’s unspoken goodbye. At the funeral on July 5, 2025, in Gondomar, Cardoso helped carry Jota’s coffin, her grief palpable as she leaned her head on it. The presence of Liverpool stars like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, alongside Portuguese teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo, underscored the global outpouring of support.

Social media reactions on X reflect the public’s heartbreak, with posts reading, “Another note? That final line is like Diogo knew he was saying goodbye,” and “Rute finding these messages—it’s too painful to imagine.” Fans have called for privacy, with one writing, “Let her grieve without the world watching.” Liverpool FC has established a trust fund for the family, and discussions to retire Jota’s number 20 shirt continue, honoring his 65 goals in 182 appearances and his role in the 2024/25 Premier League title.

Investigative Implications

The jacket note’s final line, “If this is the last, know I loved you always,” has prompted investigators to consider whether Jota sensed danger or was preparing for an uncertain outcome. Its timing, alongside the voice memo, smartwatch recording, and other letters, suggests a pattern of Jota leaving messages, possibly out of caution or intuition. The wiped phone and deleted smartwatch recording continue to frustrate efforts, though forensic teams are working to recover additional data. The note’s discovery in the jacket, an item Jota wore regularly, raises questions about whether he intended for it to be found only in the event of a tragedy.

Speculation persists about external factors, such as a car tailing the Lamborghini for 18.6 kilometers or seven missed calls from an unknown Spanish number post-crash, though no evidence supports foul play. The note’s personal tone contrasts with the cryptic dashboard message, suggesting it may reflect Jota’s emotional state rather than a specific threat. The investigation is exploring connections to Jota’s eSports ventures with Luna Galaxy, his recent lung surgery, or the demanding nine consecutive late-night training sessions noted by Liverpool coaches.

A Legacy of Love and Loss

Diogo Jota’s legacy as a footballer—key to Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League title, two League Cups, and Portugal’s 2019 and 2025 UEFA Nations League wins—is matched by his devotion as a husband and father. The jacket note, with its tender final line, encapsulates the personal side of a man adored by fans and teammates. As Rute Cardoso navigates raising three children alone, the note serves as both a comfort and a reminder of an unspoken goodbye. The football world, from Anfield’s tributes to global condolences from figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, continues to honor Jota and André, whose deaths remain an “irreparable loss” for Portuguese football.