In a poignant display of enduring friendship, Andy Robertson, captain of the Scotland national team, will carry the spirit of the late Diogo Joël with him to the 2026 North America World Cup. FIFA has publicly shared a heartfelt letter from Joël’s partner, Lute Cardozo, addressed to Robertson, underscoring a profound connection forged during their time together at Liverpool.
A Friendship Beyond This World
The bond between Joël and Robertson was more than just a shared jersey; it was a deep, personal connection that transcended the pitch. Tragically, Joël passed away last July at the young age of 28. He died in a traffic accident while traveling with his twin brother, Andre, in Samora, Spain. This devastating loss occurred just ten days after his marriage to Cardozo, adding another layer of sorrow to an already heartbroken circle.
Robertson, who spent nine seasons with Liverpool, recently transferred to Tottenham. He now leads the Scotland team, which has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, a dream he will pursue in the 2026 tournament.
A Letter of Love and Legacy
Joël and Cardozo were described as ‘childhood sweethearts,’ having met in school and shared 13 years together, raising three children. Before his untimely death, Joël and Cardozo had a civil wedding ceremony.
Cardozo’s letter to Robertson, shared by FIFA, beautifully captures the essence of Joël’s spirit and his unwavering support for his friend. She wrote, “Diogo spoke about you often. About the friendship you forged, the battles you fought, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football, and the dreams.”
She continued, “The World Cup was one of the dreams we nurtured side-by-side, with the same passion as when we stepped onto the pitch. When I heard your story, and understood the emotions you felt when Scotland finally secured qualification for the World Cup after such a long wait, I realized that Diogo had never truly left the field.”
Cardozo’s message to Robertson was one of unwavering solidarity: “You will not be alone. We will carry his dream with us. When you step onto the pitch, you will not be stepping out alone. I know Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your footsteps, in your heart.”
The letter concluded with profound gratitude: “And for that, I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for keeping him in your heart. Thank you for transforming the pain of loss into something so beautiful.”
A World Cup Dream Shared
Joël was a proud member of the Portuguese national team, earning 49 caps. However, a career-ending ankle injury prevented him from participating in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a tournament he never had the chance to play in.
Following Scotland’s confirmed qualification for the World Cup last November, Robertson reflected on his friend, stating, “All day today, Diogo has been on my mind. We talked so much about going to the World Cup. He as a Portugal international, me as a Scotland international. Today, I think he is smiling down on me.”
Scotland has been drawn in Group C and is set to face Iran on the 14th, Morocco on the 20th, and Brazil on the 25th.
Upon receiving Cardozo’s letter, Robertson expressed his deep connection to Joël’s memory. “I will keep Diogo in my heart, and I know he will be with me for the first game, the second game, the third game, and beyond,” he stated. “He is always by our side. The memories we have with him are things we always bring up together, making us laugh and cry. And that will not change, especially in this tournament where emotions will be high. I will always keep him in my heart. I am not just playing for myself. I am playing for both of us.”
