Ruben Neves forced to deny romantic links to Diogo Jota’s widow

romantic links to Diogo Jota’s widow

Ruben Neves forced to deny romantic links to Diogo Jota’s widow

The two players were best friends.

 

Ruben Neves, Rute Cardoso, Diogo Jota / Collage: Tribuna.com. Photo: Daily Mail

Ruben Neves has strongly rejected speculation about a supposed romance with the widow of his late best friend and Portugal team-mate, Diogo Jota.

The rumours began after a Portuguese magazine published a front-page photo that appeared to show Neves kissing Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife, who was widowed after the Liverpool star’s fatal car crash in July.

Neves, devastated by the loss of Jota, has been a constant source of support to Rute and her three children since the tragedy, but insists this has been wrongly portrayed.

The midfielder, who has been happily married to his wife Debora Lourenco for over a decade, condemned the magazine’s choice of image as disrespectful and misleading.

In a lengthy social media post, he stressed that his family has always avoided controversy and that their only aim has been to help Rute through an unimaginable loss.

He wrote: “I always believe in the good in people, I’ve been warned not to, I’ve already been deceived, and I never wish bad on anyone. The person who put this picture on the magazine cover, does not deserve to be happy, just like the choice of it was not happy.

“Me and my wife, have been together for over 11 years, happy, with a family that makes me proud, never in 11 years have we been involved in any controversy.

“We have done our best to help Rute and her family in the best way we can. The choice of this photo is as unhappy as the person who chose it, and the person who posted it. I respect that everyone has their job, I respect that everyone wants to do their best, I don’t respect those who don’t respect others.

“Again I say, I’m proud of the woman I have, the family I have. We’re proud of Rute, for the strength she’s had, we’re here for whatever it takes, she knows. Thank you.”

Neves and Jota shared a deep friendship, playing together 164 times for Porto, Wolves and Portugal and the Al-Hilal star has since unveiled a tattoo of himself embracing Jota as a lasting tribute.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has confirmed Neves will now wear Jota’s number 21 shirt for the national team as a way of keeping his friend’s legacy alive.

Ruben Neves honours late friend Diogo Jota with heartfelt tattoo