'Don't respect those who don't respect others' - Ruben Neves issues furious response after magazine questions close relationship with Diogo Jota's widow Rute Cardoso

The football world was left devastated after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July. Father-of-three Diogo married his long-term partner Rute just 11 days before the accident.

Portugal international Neves, who played alongside Jota at Wolverhampton Wanderers, accompanied Cardoso as the Midlands club paid tribute to her late husband before their opening fixture of the 2025-26 Premier League season against Manchester City on August 16. However after Portuguese magazine TV Guia produced a front-page cover focusing on Neves' support for Cardoso - alongside the caption "Ruben Neves and Rute United After Death: How Diogo Jota's widow leans on her best friend" - the midfielder issued a strong rebuke of the article on Instagram.

Commenting on TV Guia's post on Instagram, Neves - who has been married to Debora Lourenco for over a decade - said: "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."

Liverpool announced plans for a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield in tribute to Jota and his brother Andre on July 26. The Reds also confirmed they had retired the No. 20 shirt which Jota wore during his five-year spell at the club.

Neves is expected to start for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal when they take on Al-Qadisiyah on Saturday. Meanwhile Arne Slot's Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday when they travel to face newly-promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.