The tragic aftermath of footballer Diogo Jota’s sudden death has taken a dramatic turn as a bitter family feud erupts over his £12 million estate — with the late star’s parents claiming they’ve been completely cut out of his will, while his widow has taken the document straight to police, citing what sources are calling “deeply suspicious and possibly forged” details.
A Family Divided
According to sources close to the family, Jota’s parents — Rui and Isabel Silva — were “stunned and heartbroken” after being informed by legal counsel that not a single asset from their son’s fortune had been left in their name. “It’s like we were erased,” one relative told The Daily Mirror. “Even childhood property we helped him buy was listed under someone else.”
But the real bombshell came from the footballer’s widow, Rute Cardoso, who reportedly discovered an alternate will, unsigned but dated just three days before Jota’s fatal crash — and it contains shocking revisions that contradict the previously known version filed with lawyers in Portugal.
A Suspicious Will and a Police Report
Rute, who was married to Jota for just under two years, is said to have immediately alerted authorities after noticing several “highly irregular clauses” in the document — including:
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A mysterious transfer of £2.4 million to an offshore account in Cyprus
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The removal of parental names from all beneficiary listings
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A line naming a “C.A.L.” as secondary beneficiary, believed by some to refer to a woman Jota was allegedly seen with in leaked holiday photos
“This is not just a family dispute. This is now a criminal matter,” a police spokesperson in Lisbon confirmed late Tuesday. “We are reviewing both versions of the will, as well as investigating who had access to the player’s legal documents in the final 72 hours of his life.”
Hidden Motives or Forged Paperwork?
Speculation is swirling over whether the will was forged, altered under pressure, or part of a long-concealed arrangement Jota never disclosed to his family. Investigators are also said to be examining metadata from scanned versions of the document, including who last edited it and when.
Meanwhile, Rute has gone into protective legal custody, with reports suggesting she has received threats from unnamed family associates urging her to “drop the matter quietly.”
Public Shock and Outrage
Fans are expressing their disbelief online, with hashtags like #JusticeForJota and #InheritanceWar trending across social media. “How could a family be torn apart so soon after losing a son?” one post read. “This is heartbreaking on every level.”
With millions in property, international accounts, endorsements, and crypto assets on the line, this once-private tragedy is rapidly turning into one of football’s most explosive inheritance battles in recent history.
Developing story: Police to summon both sides for questioning this week. Forensic experts already reviewing will authenticity and bank transfers. More updates to follow.