Diogo Jota's wife sends message to Liverpool fans after special tribute vs Wolves

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Rute Cardoso was in attendance at Anfield as Liverpool hosted Wolves on Saturday, with tributes paid to her late husband Diogo Jota by both clubs' fans as their sons served as mascots

Rute Cardoso, wife of former Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers player, Diogo Jota looks on prior to the Premier League game at Anfield(Image: Getty Images)

Rute Cardoso has expressed her gratitude to fans for their support during an "incredibly difficult time" in a heartfelt Instagram post. Diogo Jota's wife was present at Anfield with their children for the match against Wolves on Saturday afternoon.

Their sons, Dinis and Duarte, served as mascots for the day, adding an emotional layer to the afternoon at Anfield. In a touching moment before the game, Dinis and Duarte walked onto the pitch with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, as the two Premier League teams that Jota represented faced each other for the first time since his tragic passing.

Van Dijk then led Dinis and Duarte over to the Kop for a kickabout, to the applause of the crowd. Prior to the match, Wolves supporters had congregated at Jota's memorial outside Anfield, with many leaving tributes.

Liverpool clinched a 2-1 victory with goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz. Gravenberch paid tribute to Jota by performing his signature baby shark celebration after scoring.

Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso - who he wed just two weeks prior to the car accident - watched from the stands as their sons Dinis and Duarte took on the role of mascots. The boys joined Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk and Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa on the pitch, as the crowd delivered a deeply moving rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Liverpool Football Club shared a poignant video of Jota's children serving as mascots for the day, which included a clip of Van Dijk offering Rute a comforting hug ahead of the game.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool stands with the children of former player Diogo Jota as mascots(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

After the match, Jota's wife shared photos of their children from the day on Instagram, along with a heartfelt 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 expressed his honor at having Jota's sons accompany him onto the pitch before the game.

In an interview with the club's official website, Van Dijk said: "It was an absolute honor to have the boys with me and Ali [Becker] as well together. I think it was something I was really looking forward to. 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 fans continue to pay tribute to Jota by singing his name during the 20th minute of every match, a poignant gesture that mirrors his squad number, which the club has permanently retired in memory of the striker.