Robertson Takes Jota's World Cup Dream to Tournament: 'Playing for Both of Us'

Scotland's captain Andy Robertson has pledged to carry the World Cup aspirations of his former Liverpool colleague Diogo Jota into the tournament, following a deeply personal message from Jota's widow ahead of the competition.

The Portuguese forward, who tragically died in a car accident aged 28 last July, had long harboured dreams of competing at a World Cup. When Scotland clinched their qualification spot in November, Robertson's thoughts immediately drifted to his departed friend.

On Monday, Robertson made public a letter from Rute Cardoso as part of FIFA's 'Letters That Unite' initiative. In the correspondence, Cardoso reflected on the bond between the two players and Jota's enduring passion for the tournament.

"Diogo often spoke of you, of the friendship you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams," Cardoso wrote.

"The World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured side by side with the same passion with which you took to the pitch."

She continued: "When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the World Cup after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch. By achieving that moment and securing your place at the World Cup, you won't be going alone; you'll be taking his dream with you too."

The message evidently struck a chord with Robertson, who confirmed that Jota will be at the forefront of his mind as he leads Scotland into their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

"I'm not only just playing for me, I'm playing for both of us," Robertson stated.

Scotland face Haiti in Boston on June 13 to begin their Group C campaign, with Morocco and Brazil to follow.