Ruben Neves has hit out at a magazine after it published a controversial front-page photo implying he was romantically involved Diogo Jota’s widow.
The football community is still grieving after Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre tragically lost their lives in a car crash in early July. Jota, who had just married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso days before the accident, is survived by three children.
Neves, Jota’s close friend and former team-mate at Porto, Wolves, and Portugal, has been a pillar of support for Rute and her family since the tragedy. Just last week, the Al-Hilal midfielder unveiled an emotional tattoo of him embracing Jota in tribute to his late friend.
However, Portuguese outlet TV Guia drew backlash on Wednesday after running a headline about Rute “leaning on” Neves, accompanied by a photo that appeared to show them kissing.
The 27-year-old was furious at the insinuation and issued a strongly worded statement on social media defending both his wife, Debora Lourenco, and Diogo Jota’s widow.
“The person who put this picture on the magazine cover does not deserve to be 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.”
He went on to describe the photo choice as “as unhappy as the person who chose it” and reaffirmed his pride in his family.
Neves and Diogo Jota shared the pitch 164 times throughout their careers, playing together at Porto, Wolves, and for the Portuguese national team. In a symbolic gesture, Portugal coach Roberto Martinez recently confirmed Neves will now wear Jota’s No. 21 jersey to honour his late friend, while Liverpool have retired his No. 20 shirt.
