Diogo Jota's Close Friend Denies Romance Rumors with Liverpool Star's Widow

Diogo Jota's Best Friend Upset Over Magazine's Misleading Photo

Diogo Jota's close friend and former teammate, Ruben Neves, has criticized a Portuguese magazine for publishing a front-page photo that implied a romantic relationship between him and Jota's widow, Rute Cardoso. Jota, a Liverpool star, tragically passed away in a car crash along with his brother Andre in July, leading to widespread mourning in the football community.

Ruben Neves, a former Wolves captain, has been a strong source of support for Jota's family since the tragic incident. Neves, who has been in a committed relationship with his wife for over a decade, was pictured grieving at Jota's funeral and recently got a tattoo in honor of his late friend.

The magazine, TV Guia, focused on Neves' relationship with Rute and Jota's family, but the accompanying photo was misleading, showing Neves and Rute in a way that suggested intimacy. Neves, in response, expressed his anger on social media, clarifying his long-standing happy relationship with his wife and condemning the magazine's choice of photo.

Neves and Jota were not only close friends but also played together for Porto, Wolves, and Portugal on 164 occasions. Neves, now playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, will wear Jota's shirt number, 21, for Portugal to honor his friend's legacy. Portugal's national team coach confirmed this decision, emphasizing Neves' close relationship with Jota.

At a recent ceremony celebrating Jota's life, Neves delivered an emotional speech, highlighting their strong bond and promising to carry on their friendship on and off the field. Neves' response to the magazine's misleading photo underscores his commitment to honoring Jota's memory and supporting his family during this difficult time.