Lisbon, Portugal — July 16, 2025
In an explosive legal twist following the death of Diogo Jota, a woman has filed an official inheritance claim on behalf of a 4-year-old boy she alleges is the footballer’s biological son — a claim that has stunned the Jota family and triggered a fiery public response from his widow.
According to legal representatives involved in the proceedings, the woman submitted the claim through her lawyers late Monday, requesting a formal paternity test and asserting that the child is entitled to a share of Jota’s multimillion-euro estate. The documents reportedly include private messages, dated photos, and a partial financial record indicating past contact between Jota and the woman.
The claim, filed in family court under confidentiality protections, was leaked to the press Tuesday morning — prompting an immediate and furious reaction from Jota’s widow.
In a move described by legal analysts as both bold and strategic, she publicly released Diogo Jota’s complete, notarized will, dated just six months before his passing. The will, which had previously remained sealed, names only his wife and their two children as sole beneficiaries, with no mention of any other dependents.
A brief but pointed statement accompanied the release:
“This document reflects Diogo’s full intentions. Any attempt to distort his legacy for personal gain will be met with full legal force.”
The release of the will has sent shockwaves through the public and legal community, fueling speculation about the timeline of the alleged child’s conception and whether Jota had any knowledge of — or relationship with — the boy prior to his death.
Lawyers representing the claimant say they are undeterred by the widow’s statement and will press forward with DNA testing, if ordered by the court.
“This is not about scandal,” a spokesperson for the woman said. “It’s about truth, and a child’s right to be recognized.”
With tensions rising and media attention intensifying, the case is now expected to proceed to formal hearings in the coming weeks. If paternity is confirmed, experts say the estate could face a complex redistribution — and a fresh wave of public scrutiny.
What began as a tragic loss has become a deeply personal legal battle — one that could redefine the legacy Diogo Jota left behind.