SHOCKING REVELATION: Rute Cardoso Confirms She Found a Receipt for a £9,400 Diamond Bracelet Engraved with a Girl’s Name Bought Two Days Before Jota Died — But She Never
The tragic deaths of Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, in a car crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway near Zamora have taken yet another shocking turn. The 28-year-old forward, who married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso just 11 days prior, and his 25-year-old brother perished when their Lamborghini Huracan crashed and burst into flames after a reported tire blowout. Now, Rute Cardoso has confirmed to Expresso a devastating discovery: a receipt for a £9,400 diamond bracelet engraved with a woman’s name, purchased by Jota on July 1, 2025—two days before his death. The bracelet, which Rute never received, was not engraved with her name, deepening the mystery surrounding Jota’s final days.
Rute’s Painful Discovery
In a heartfelt interview with Expresso on July 30, 2025, Rute Cardoso, 28, shared the emotional toll of finding the receipt among Jota’s belongings. The document, from Casa Diamante, a luxury jeweler in Porto, detailed the purchase of a diamond bracelet engraved with the name “Sofia.” “I was looking through his things, trying to feel close to him,” Rute said, her voice heavy with grief. “When I saw the receipt, it was like losing him again. That name, Sofia—it wasn’t for me. I don’t know who she is.” The discovery has compounded Rute’s loss, as she navigates raising their three children—sons Denis and Duarte, and a daughter born in 2024—while grappling with unanswered questions.
The name “Sofia” aligns with earlier reports from emergency physician Dr. Elena Martinez, who told AS that Jota whispered “Sofia” repeatedly before his heart stopped 43 seconds later at the crash site. This connection has sparked intense speculation, particularly on X, where users debate whether “Sofia” refers to a family member, friend, or someone unknown. Casa Diamante confirmed to Expresso that Jota visited their store on July 1, selecting the bracelet and requesting the engraving. “He said it was a special gift,” a staff member noted, declining to elaborate. The bracelet’s whereabouts remain unknown, as it was not found among Jota’s possessions or in the wreckage.
A Web of Mysteries
The receipt adds to a series of perplexing revelations. Jota’s personal trainer, Ricardo Almeida, previously admitted to Correio da Manhã that he drove Jota to an unregistered apartment in Leça da Palmeira on July 2, where CCTV captured a woman in her late 20s with dark hair greeting him. Additionally, a forensic report from August 1, 2025, published in La Opinión de Zamora, revealed brake line tampering on the Lamborghini, with marks indicating the sabotage occurred within 24 hours of the crash. These findings, combined with the bracelet, have fueled theories of foul play or a hidden personal connection, though no evidence links the events conclusively.
The crash occurred as Jota and André, a footballer for Penafiel, drove to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK, a decision prompted by Jota’s recent lung surgery for a pneumothorax, which made flying inadvisable. The Guardia Civil initially attributed the crash to a tire blowout, possibly exacerbated by speeding, but lorry drivers José Azevedo and José Aleixo Duarte cited poor road conditions. The brake tampering discovery has shifted focus to potential sabotage, with investigators now examining who had access to the vehicle, including during Jota’s visit to Leça da Palmeira.
Rute’s Call for Truth
Rute’s Expresso interview was both a tribute to Jota and a plea for answers. “Diogo was my soulmate, the father of our children,” she said. “I need to know the truth, not just for me, but for Denis, Duarte, and our daughter.” She confirmed sharing the receipt with Portuguese authorities, who are reportedly coordinating with Spanish police to investigate the bracelet alongside the CCTV footage and forensic evidence. Rute urged the public to avoid speculation, emphasizing the pain it causes her family. “Let us grieve with dignity,” she said, referencing her 2019 Instagram post: “Not even death can tear us apart.”
Jota’s Legacy and the Football World’s Grief
Jota’s 65 goals in 182 Liverpool appearances, including six goals and four assists in the 2024-2025 Premier League title-winning season, made him a beloved figure. His 49 Portugal caps, two Nations League titles, and esports ventures, including owning LUNA Esports, showcased his versatility. André, a rising star, shared his brother’s passion. Their funeral on July 5 at Igreja Matriz de Gondomar, attended by Virgil van Dijk, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jürgen Klopp, was marked by Rute’s strength as she carried Jota’s coffin. Tributes from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Prince William, and Oasis during their Cardiff tour reflected Jota’s global impact.
Unanswered Questions
The bracelet’s intended recipient remains a mystery. Was “Sofia” a relative, a friend, or someone else? Could the engraving be a misunderstanding, perhaps a gift for Rute under a different name? The brake tampering adds a darker dimension, prompting questions about whether the crash was orchestrated and if the Leça da Palmeira visit is connected. Portuguese and Spanish authorities are reviewing evidence, but no official statement has confirmed the woman’s identity or the bracelet’s purpose. Liverpool is considering retiring Jota’s No. 20 shirt, and Anfield’s memorial grows daily.
As Arne Slot said, “Diogo’s spirit will always be with us.” Yet, the mysteries—Sofia, the bracelet, the tampering—cast a shadow over his legacy. Rute, supported by Jota’s £35 million estate, faces an uncertain future, holding onto her love for a man whose final words, “I’m the lucky one,” now carry a haunting weight.
