Diogo Jota's wife thanks fans during 'incredibly difficult time' in emotional post
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Liverpool Echo IconNewsLiverpool NewsDiogo JotaRute Cardoso took to Instagram following Liverpool's game against WolvesRute Cardoso has thanked fans for the love during an "incredibly difficult time" in an emotional Instagram post. Diogo Jota's wife was in attendance at Anfield with her children for the game against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.Their sons Dinis and Duarte were mascots for the day during an emotional afternoon inside Anfield.
Gravenberch celebrated his goal by doing Jota's trademark baby shark celebration.Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso - whom he married two weeks before the car crash - watched from the stands as the couple's sons Dinis and Duarte served as mascots. The pair accompanied Reds captain Virgil van Dijk and Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa on to the pitch as the crowd delivered a deeply moving rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.Liverpool Football Club posted an emotional video of Jota's children as mascots for the day and in the clip it shows Van Dijk giving Rute a hug ahead of the game.Following the game, Jota's wife posted on Instagram she posted pictures of her children from the day alongside the message: "From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the club and to all the fans for the love, respect and support shown during this incredibly difficult time.
Your messages and gestures have meant more than words can express."The Liverpool captain said it was "an honour" to have Jota's sons walk out with him ahead of the game.Speaking to the club's official website he said: "It was an absolute honour to have the boys with me and Ali [Becker] as well together. Obviously after discussions with Rute and the family it was really something I looked forward to."It was going to be emotional, but I think it's something that the boys will remember forever."Hopefully there's more to come in the future for them and they can keep enjoying Liverpool because Liverpool is the place that's very big to their hearts and Diogo will always stay with us forever."I was very proud to have them with us and the fans I think appreciated that as well."Liverpool supporters continue to honour Jota by chanting his name during the 20th minute of every fixture, a touching gesture that reflects his squad number, which the club has permanently retired in the striker's memory.