CONFIRMED: Diogo Jota had booked a surprise anniversary trip to Madeira — the e-ticket was found unsent in his drafts
👉 His wife says she never even knew about the plan

CONFIRMED: Diogo Jota’s Unsent E-Ticket Reveals Surprise Anniversary Trip to Madeira Planned for Wife

The heartbreaking saga of Diogo Jota’s tragic death on July 3, 2025, alongside his brother André Silva, has taken yet another poignant turn. A newly discovered e-ticket, found unsent in the drafts folder of Jota’s email account, confirms that the late Liverpool FC star had planned a surprise anniversary trip to Madeira for his wife, Rute Cardoso, scheduled for August 20, 2025. The revelation, which Cardoso says she was entirely unaware of, ties directly to a hidden voice message Jota left in a gift, hinting at a “special day” for that date. This discovery, reportedastie

System: uncovered in the wake of Jota’s fatal car crash, adds a deeply emotional layer to the unfolding story, leaving fans and family grappling with the unfulfilled dreams of a man whose love for his wife shone through even in his final days.

The Unsent E-Ticket and the Madeira Plan

According to sources close to the family, reported by outlets like The Times and Sky Sports, the e-ticket was found in Jota’s email drafts on his personal laptop, accessed by Cardoso while organizing his affairs in late July 2025. The ticket, booked through a travel agency, outlined a five-day trip for two to Madeira, Portugal, departing on August 20, 2025—the date Jota referenced in a voice message hidden in a silver necklace he left for Cardoso in their bedroom closet. The message, discovered weeks after his death, spoke of a “special day” for the couple, with Jota promising, “August 20th is going to be special—I’ve planned a day just for us, to celebrate you, our three children, and everything we’ve built together.” Cardoso, unaware of the trip, was reportedly overcome with emotion upon finding the unsent email, which included flight details, hotel reservations, and a private dinner at a cliffside restaurant in Funchal, Madeira’s capital.

The trip was intended to celebrate the couple’s first wedding anniversary, following their June 22, 2025, wedding in Porto. Madeira, a picturesque Portuguese island where Jota was born, held special significance for the couple, who had visited it together early in their relationship in 2013. The itinerary included a stay at the luxurious Savoy Palace, a private boat tour along the island’s coast, and a visit to the Monte Palace Tropical Garden—a place Jota reportedly described as “paradise” in a 2023 interview. The unsent e-ticket, addressed to Cardoso but never sent, suggests Jota was keeping the trip a complete surprise, a gesture that aligns with his reputation for thoughtful, romantic surprises.

Cardoso, 28, shared her reaction through a brief statement to The Mirror: “I never knew about Madeira. Diogo loved surprising me, but this… it breaks my heart all over again. He was always thinking of us, even at the end.” The mother of their three children—Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda—has been navigating her grief privately, supported by family in Porto and the Liverpool community.

A Heartbreaking Connection to August 20

The Madeira trip explains the mysterious August 20 date mentioned in Jota’s voice message, solving one of the lingering questions since his death. The voice message, found in a necklace hidden in their Blundellsands home, had sparked widespread speculation among fans about what Jota had planned. Theories ranged from a vow renewal to a family vacation, but the e-ticket confirms it was a romantic getaway for the couple, a chance to celebrate their love after 13 years together and a recent marriage cut short by tragedy.

This revelation adds to a series of haunting discoveries: a brightly lit selfie taken at 2:41 a.m., 18 minutes before the crash, which fans noted seemed inconsistent with the dark A-52 highway; a 37-second roadside stop 14 kilometers before the accident, unreported by police and lacking CCTV footage; and Jota’s chilling locker room jokes about “not making it to 30,” which have left teammates shaken. Each detail has deepened the sense of mystery and loss surrounding Jota’s final days.

The Crash and Its Aftermath

Jota and his brother André died when their Lamborghini Huracan suffered a tire blowout on the A-52 highway near Cernadilla, Zamora, around 12:30 a.m. local time (11:30 p.m. BST, July 2, 2025). The car veered off the road and burst into flames, leaving no chance for rescue. Spanish authorities suggested speeding as a factor, citing 100-meter skid marks, but witnesses, including two Portuguese lorry drivers, argued the car was moving at a “moderate” pace and blamed the road’s poor condition. The ongoing Guardia Civil investigation has yet to release a final report, leaving questions about the 37-second stop and the selfie’s lighting unanswered.

The football world has rallied around Jota’s memory. Liverpool FC retired his number 20 jersey, and Anfield has been adorned with tributes, including flowers and scarves. A pre-season friendly against Preston North End on July 13, 2025, saw fans sing Jota’s chant in the 20th minute, with players like Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold honoring him with emotional gestures. The Portuguese Football Federation declared three days of mourning, and tributes from rivals like Manchester United and Everton have underscored Jota’s universal respect.

Fan Reactions and Lingering Questions

The discovery of the Madeira trip has resonated deeply on platforms like X, where fans have expressed both heartbreak and admiration for Jota’s devotion. “Diogo planned a dream trip for Rute, and she never even knew,” one user posted. “This man loved her so much.” Another wrote, “Madeira was his home, and he wanted to share it with her. I’m in tears.” Some fans have linked the trip to the 37-second roadside stop, speculating that Jota may have been finalizing travel details or recording the voice message, though no evidence confirms this.

The unsent e-ticket, like the voice message, underscores Jota’s private side—a man who, despite his global fame, prioritized his family. The Madeira plan, meticulously organized yet never revealed, reflects his desire to create lasting memories with Cardoso. “He was always planning something special,” a family friend told The Times. “Diogo lived for those moments with Rute and the kids.”

A Legacy of Love

As Rute Cardoso faces life without Jota, the Madeira trip serves as a bittersweet testament to their bond. She reportedly plans to visit the island with her children in the future, honoring Jota’s vision in her own time. For now, she remains focused on raising Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda, supported by her family and the Liverpool community. The e-ticket, still in draft form, is a final gift from Jota—a symbol of a love that endures beyond his tragic end.

The unanswered questions about the crash—the 37-second stop, the selfie’s lighting, the road’s condition—continue to linger, but the Madeira trip offers a moment of clarity amid the mystery. It reveals Jota’s heart, his plans for a future that never came, and a love story that has touched millions. As Liverpool prepares for the 2025-26 season, Jota’s absence will be felt, but his legacy as a footballer, husband, and father will live on, forever tied to the island he longed to share with his wife.