In July last year, Jota, 28, died with his brother in a car accident after helping Portugal secure a World Cup berth.
Jota was a close friend and teammate of Andy Robertson at Liverpool.
In a letter to Robertson, published by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), Rute Cardoso, mother of Jota's three children, wrote:
"Diogo often spoke of you. About the friendships you built, the battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football... and about dreams."
“Want to thank you”
"You will take his dream with you too. And when you step out onto the pitch, I know it's not just you walking out. Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart."
"So today I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the grief of loss into strength and something so beautiful."
"He would be, and is, incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him."
Robertson read the letter in a film that FIFA posted on its official YouTube channel and was noticeably moved.
We talked so much about getting to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I missed the last one with Scotland. I know he's smiling at me today.
“Playing for both of us”
I will carry him in my heart and I know he will be with me in the first game, in the second game, in the third game and hopefully beyond that.
I know he will be at the forefront of my thoughts. I'm not just playing for myself. I'm playing for both of us.
Diogo Jota made 49 appearances for Portugal but never played in a World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament due to a calf injury.
Andy Robertson's Scotland will begin the championship against Haiti at 3 a.m. on Sunday.
