Ruben Neves Denies Romance Claims After Magazine Runs Photo with Diogo Jota's Widow
Portugal midfielder rejects speculation and criticizes magazine's cover image as he defends long-term marriage and his role supporting the late player's family
Ruben Neves has strongly denied suggestions of a romantic relationship with Rute Cardoso, the widow of the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, after a Portuguese magazine published a cover photo that appeared to show the pair kissing.
Neves, a close friend and former team-mate of Jota, said the image — splashed on the front of TV Guia under a story about his relationship with Jota's family — was an unhappy choice and urged respect for his decade-long marriage to Debora Lourenco. Jota, 28, and his brother Andre died in a road crash in early July. Jota married Cardoso 11 days before the fatal collision.
In a post on social media, Neves called the magazine's decision to use the image "not happy" and attacked those responsible for publishing it. "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," he wrote. Neves reiterated that he and his wife have been together for more than 11 years, described their family as a source of pride and said they had never been involved in controversy.
Neves, who moved to Al-Hilal after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2023, added that he and his wife have tried to help Cardoso and Jota's family "in the best way we can." He said he respects people doing their jobs but not those who fail to respect others.
The TV Guia piece examined the close friendship between Neves and Jota, who played together at Porto, Wolves and for Portugal. The two appeared together on the pitch 164 times, according to Portuguese reports, and remained close off it; Neves recently unveiled a tattoo showing him embracing Jota and has been a visible presence at events honoring his late friend.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez confirmed earlier this month that Neves will wear Jota's national team number, 21, saying keeping the number on the field would help preserve Jota's legacy. Liverpool retired Jota's No. 20 shirt after his death.
Neves also spoke at a ceremony commemorating Jota's life in September, delivering an emotional speech and reading a handwritten letter to his friend. "More than friends, we're family," Neves said. "When we join the national team, you'll still be with us — at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane. Always by our side, just like you've always been."
The magazine's use of the photograph came amid sustained media and public attention on Jota's death and the aftermath for his family and teammates. Neves' statement focused on rebutting what he described as an inaccurate impression created by the single image, rather than contesting the article's broader account of his friendship with Jota.
Neves and Cardoso have been seen together publicly in recent months while Neves provided support at funeral proceedings and memorial events. Portuguese outlets described the relationship between the two players as a close bond forged over years of club and international football; Neves has said he intends to carry aspects of that bond forward through gestures such as adopting Jota's squad number and speaking about their shared history.
Neves is expected to continue his club duties with Al-Hilal while remaining involved with the Portugal national team, where teammates and staff have cited his closeness to Jota and his family as factors in honoring the late forward's memory on and off the field.