Portugal Want to Win 2026 World Cup in Honour of Jota- Roberto Martinez

Portugal Want to Win 2026 World Cup in Honour of Jota- Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez said the squad remains inspired by the late forward.
Ruben Neves revealed he still sends messages to Jota’s WhatsApp.

Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has said his team is determined to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup in honour of the late Diogo Jota as the first anniversary of the forward’s death approaches.

Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash in Spain on July 3, 2025, just 11 days after the Liverpool forward married his long term partner, Rute Cardoso.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking ahead of Portugal’s World Cup knockout stage clash against Croatia on Friday, Martinez said the squad remains inspired by Jota’s memory.

“Diogo is our sun and our light,” Martinez said.

“We want to win the World Cup for him.”

The emotional tribute comes as Portugal continues a tournament in which the late forward has remained at the heart of the team’s journey.

Martinez named Jota as an honorary “plus one” player when announcing Portugal’s World Cup squad, while midfielder Rúben Neves has worn Jota’s No. 21 shirt throughout the tournament in tribute to his close friend.

Neves also revealed that he still communicates with Jota through a WhatsApp group that includes the late footballer’s wife.

“I still talk to him,” Neves said. “Few people know this.

“We have a WhatsApp group with Rute and Diogo, and it’s still there, and we continue to talk there.

“Whenever something special happens, I have the conversations archived on my WhatsApp so I can continue to send him messages.”

Jota was travelling back to Liverpool for pre season when the Lamborghini he was travelling in suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. Doctors had advised him against flying after minor surgery, prompting him to travel by road and ferry.

The 28 year old scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal and realised a lifelong dream by helping his country win the UEFA Nations League only weeks before his death.

Portugal’s players have continued to honour his memory throughout the World Cup. Fans have packed stadiums wearing shirts bearing Jota’s name, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates have worn special wristbands featuring the names of every squad member alongside Jota’s.

Midfielder Vitinha explained the significance of the wristbands.

“The story of the wristband is that when we went to meet with the prime minister, he offered us this wristband,” he said.

“They made sure that it was a wristband that we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifics for us to be able to enter the pitch with it, with the name of all the players plus the special name of Diogo Jota.”

Neves, who helped carry Jota’s coffin during his funeral in Gondomar, admitted that the pain of losing his friend remains overwhelming.

“The entire national team and I will do everything we can to keep Diogo here with us, on our team,” he said.

Portugal Want to Win 2026 World Cup in Honour of Jota- Roberto Martinez

“The day after the news, for me, is the most difficult day of my life. The most important aspect for me to be able to play was wanting to play for Diogo first.”