LIVERPOOL, UK – The widow of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota could inherit up to £35 million following the footballer’s tragic death, MailOnline has revealed. Jota, 28, died alongside his younger brother André, 25, in a car crash in Spain last week, just days after his wedding to long-time partner, Rute. The couple shared three young children: Dinis, four, Duarte, two, and eight-month-old Mafalda. Since joining the Premier League in 2018, Jota had amassed significant wealth through high-paying contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. He began his English career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, earning £38,000 per week. Over two years, his salary totaled nearly £4 million before he transferred to Liverpool in 2020. At Anfield, Jota initially signed a four-year contract earning £83,000 per week, bringing in £8.63 million in the first two years. Recognizing his value, Liverpool extended his contract in 2022 for five more years, increasing his wages to £140,000 a week. This latest deal had already yielded £21.84 million by the time of his death. In total, his known earnings from Premier League salaries alone stand at approximately £34.4 million. This figure does not include performance-related bonuses or income from endorsement deals. Jota scored 65 goals in 182 matches during his Premier League career and also served as a global brand ambassador for companies including Nike and EA Sports, reportedly earning an additional £3.3 million annually. He was expected to earn another £14.5 million over the remaining two years of his current Liverpool contract. While Portuguese media outlets have suggested the club may honor this contract posthumously, Liverpool has not confirmed the reports. A significant portion of Jota’s earnings had been invested. He purchased a five-bedroom, four-bathroom home in the upscale Liverpool suburb of Blundellsands for £2.125 million in May 2022. Land registry documents confirm the property was previously listed for three years before the couple acquired it. Images of the home, shared online, reveal luxury amenities including an ornately tiled entrance, underfloor heating, a Georgian-style reception room, a state-of-the-art kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, and an entertainment suite comprising a cinema room, games room, and a 39-foot indoor pool with a steam room and jacuzzi. In February 2023, Jota also established a UK-based image rights company, Minute J Ltd, as a financial structure to manage some of his football-related income. The company’s accounts, filed in December 2024, recorded earnings of £186,754 in its first year, with £49,786 owed to creditors — including nearly £45,000 to HMRC in corporation tax. Such companies are common among elite footballers and allow them to control the commercial use of their likeness, including sponsorships, merchandise, and media appearances. Outside football, Jota demonstrated a keen interest in Esports. He founded his own team, Luna Galaxy, and was a regular figure in the gaming world. Portuguese outlets report that his collection of luxury vehicles, including a Range Rover Sport, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Ferrari 488, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, was worth more than £1 million. A detailed profile on financial website The Richest described Jota’s portfolio as exceptional for someone so young, saying, “He left behind a financial legacy few soccer players achieve so young. His business smarts matched his on-field vision—he left behind a blueprint for how athletes can build wealth and legacy beyond the pitch.” The footballer’s death came just 13 days after he married Rute, his childhood sweetheart. The ceremony was described by Rute as a “dream come true,” and Jota was quoted as saying he felt like the “luckiest man in the world.” Heartbreaking photos and videos from their special day were widely shared on social media. Just over two weeks later, mourners — including family, friends, and footballers — gathered at the 17th-century Igreja Matriz church in Portugal for the joint funeral of Diogo and his brother André. The Bishop of Porto, D. Manuel Linda, delivered an emotional message to the bereaved family, with special mention of the couple’s children. “At this moment you are suffering immensely or perhaps not because you do not realise it. The ones who suffer a lot are your mother and your grandparents,” he said. “Seeing the mortal remains of a child must be a greater torment, but when there are two urns there are no words. If it is difficult to see an adult cry, it is even more difficult to see a child cry. I send you a special greeting for your mother and grandparents.” Jota’s death has sent shockwaves through the footballing world and beyond, with tributes pouring in from clubs, teammates, fans, and the Esports community. As Rute and their children face an uncertain future, the financial legacy left behind may offer some stability amidst the profound loss.
Jota’s Widow to Inherit £35m Estate After Tragic Death of Liverpool Star
