After the devastating loss of her husband, Diogo Jota, on July 3rd, Rute Cardoso returned to Portugal with her three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, Duarte, Dinis, and Mafalda, in an attempt to find peace, as staying in Liverpool only brought back bad memories.

The soccer player’s widow returned to Gondomar, the town where she grew up, and found shelter at her sister’s house, according to TV7 Dias. The bond between the two sisters has always been strong, and she is currently one of the most important people in Rute’s life, as she needs family support to get back on her feet and continue caring for her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.

However, Diogo Jota’s widow brought with her the employee who already helped her in England with the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and who continues to ensure the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s routine.

Diogo Jota’s grandparents also make a point of being present, visiting their great-grand𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and helping to bring some normalcy to the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren’s daily lives. Besides losing their father, they will have a different life in Portugal, starting school and college this September.

According to a source who told Nova Gente, Rute Cardoso’s greatest concern is her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren. “She’s keeping everything as normal as possible for the boys. Their routines are her priority, and that’s what gives her strength,” says someone close to the widow, who adds: “Despite all the pain she’s feeling, she’s organized her day around the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren. She makes sure they don’t lack for anything and that they grow up with the memory of their father always present. It’s really in her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren that she finds motivation to move forward.”

Regarding his professional life, it is worth remembering that André Villas-Boas, president of FC Porto, recently announced that Rute Cardoso would take over at the club, continuing a project conceived by the player: the partnership with Luna, an eSports team founded by the Portuguese international in 2021.