Ruben Neves slams magazine after claim over relationship with Diogo Jota's widow

Ruben Neves has hit out at a Portuguese magazine after it published a picture of him with Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso and questioned their relationship

Ruben Neves has fired back at Portuguese magazine TV Guia for suggesting he's grown close to Diogo Jota's wife Rute Cardoso, following the tragic death of the Liverpool and Portugal star.

Neves, 28, who joined Cardoso at Molineux as Wolves honoured their former player Jota before their Premier League opener against Manchester City, expressed his revulsion at a photo used on the magazine's cover. TV Guia captioned the image: "Ruben Neves and Rute United After Death. How Diogo Jota's widow leans on her best friend".

Neves, alongside his wife Debora Lourenco, has been supporting Cardoso, 28, and the Jota family in the wake of the car crash that claimed the life of the 28-year-old striker. Jota had three young children with his wife, who he married just weeks before the tragedy that also claimed the life of his younger brother, Penafiel winger Andre Silva, 25.

He issued a powerful rebuttal to the article on Instagram, stating: "I always believe in the good in people, I've been warned not to do so, I've been wrong, and I never wish harm on anyone.

"The person who put this photo on the magazine cover doesn't deserve to be happy, just as their choice wasn't a happy one. My wife, Debora Lourenco, and I have been together for over 11 years, happy, with a family that makes me proud, and in 11 years we have never been involved in any controversy.

"We've done our best to help Rute and her family in the best way possible. The choice of this photo is as unfortunate as the person who chose it and the person who posted it. I respect that everyone has their own work, I respect that everyone wants to do their best, and I don't respect those who don't respect others.

"Once again, I'm proud of the woman I have, the family I have. We're proud of Rute, for the strength she's shown; we're here for whatever she needs, she knows how. Thank you."

Neves was stationed in the United States with Al-Hilal for the Club World Cup when Jota passed away, reports the Mirror. Straight after his team's 2-1 loss to Fluminense in Orlando, he jetted back to Porto alongside team-mate Joao Cancelo to attend Jota's funeral, where he would serve as a pallbearer for his dearly missed friend.

He has subsequently honoured his closest friend with an emotional tattoo on his leg depicting the duo, which includes Jota's No. 21 Portugal shirt.

During a ceremony held by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) earlier this month, Neves remembered both Jota and former Porto skipper Jorge Costa, who passed away aged 53 in August after suffering a cardiac arrest.

"I and the entire national team team will do everything we can to keep Diogo here with us, on our team," Neves said. "Thank you, Jorge, and Diogo. Forever in our hearts."

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