In the wake of the tragic and untimely death of Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota in July 2025, the global sports community has been abuzz with reports of Cristiano Ronaldo’s compassionate gesture to adopt Jota’s young children. Jota, a star forward for Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team, left behind his widow, Rute Cardoso, and their children, including their son Dinis, born in 2023. According to multiple sources, Ronaldo, drawing from his own challenging upbringing marked by an alcoholic father, has offered to take in Jota’s children, potentially raising them until they reach adulthood. This move, if formalized through legal adoption, would not only provide emotional stability but also confer a range of legal privileges and socio-economic benefits under Portuguese law. As a legal expert specializing in family and inheritance matters in the European Union, this article analyzes the implications of such an adoption, focusing on the rights and privileges Jota’s children would enjoy as Ronaldo’s legal heirs. We will explore the adoption process, inheritance rights, citizenship entitlements, and broader lifestyle advantages, grounded in Portugal’s civil law framework.

Portugal’s adoption laws, governed primarily by the Civil Code (Código Civil) and the Legal Regime for the Adoption Process (Regime Jurídico do Processo de Adopção), emphasize the child’s best interests, aligning with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Portugal is a signatory. Adoption in Portugal creates a full legal bond equivalent to biological parentage, severing ties with the birth family unless otherwise specified in restricted adoptions. Given Ronaldo’s status as a national icon with an estimated net worth exceeding $1 billion, the privileges extend beyond mere legal formalities into realms of financial security, social capital, and global opportunities. However, these must be viewed through the lens of Portugal’s forced heirship system and family law protections.

The Adoption Process in Portugal: Legal Prerequisites and Ronaldo’s Eligibility

To understand the privileges, we must first examine the adoption framework. Portuguese law allows for both domestic and intercountry adoptions, though the latter is rare, with no recorded cases of Portuguese children being adopted abroad in recent years. For domestic adoptions like this one—assuming Ronaldo proceeds within Portugal—the process is overseen by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa or regional social security institutions. Prospective adopters must undergo a rigorous assessment, including psychological evaluations, home studies, and proof of financial stability.

Key eligibility criteria include age requirements: adopters must be at least 25 years old (or 30 if single) and no older than 60, with an age difference not exceeding 50 years between adopter and child (extendable to 60 in exceptional cases). Ronaldo, born in 1985, is 40 in 2025, well within these limits for adopting young children like Dinis (age 2) and any siblings. Married couples must adopt jointly, but Ronaldo, currently unmarried following his separation from Georgina Rodríguez, could proceed as a single adopter if he meets the criteria. The law prioritizes the child’s welfare, considering factors such as the adopter’s ability to provide a stable environment—undoubtedly satisfied by Ronaldo’s vast resources.

Once approved, the adoption decree from a family court establishes full filiation. Adopted children gain the same rights as biological ones, including name changes, parental authority, and maintenance obligations. In Jota’s case, since the children are orphans on the paternal side, consent from the surviving mother (Cardoso) would be required, alongside the children’s input if they are over 12—though they are toddlers, so this is inapplicable. Reports suggest Cardoso is supportive, aligning with family wishes for the children to be raised in a nurturing, affluent setting.

Critically, adoption severs inheritance rights from the biological family unless a will specifies otherwise. Thus, Jota’s children would forfeit claims to his estate (estimated at £20-30 million from his football career) in favor of Ronaldo’s far larger fortune. This trade-off underscores the profound shift in privileges.

Inheritance Rights: Financial Security Under Forced Heirship

One of the most significant privileges stems from Portugal’s inheritance laws, which treat adopted children identically to biological offspring. The Civil Code mandates “forced heirship” (legítima), reserving a portion of the estate for legitimate heirs—spouses, descendants, and ascendants—who cannot be fully disinherited except in cases of unworthiness (e.g., criminal acts against the deceased).

For Ronaldo, with five biological children (Cristiano Jr., twins Eva and Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda), Jota’s adopted children would join this line as equal heirs. The reserved portion is calculated as follows: if there are children, two-thirds of the estate is divided equally among them, with the remaining one-third disposable by will. Assuming Ronaldo’s net worth at death is $1 billion (a conservative estimate given his endorsements, businesses like CR7 hotels, and investments), each child could inherit tens of millions, potentially more if Ronaldo’s will favors them.

Portugal imposes no traditional inheritance tax; instead, a 10% stamp duty (imposto do selo) applies to transfers outside close family, but exemptions cover spouses, descendants (including adoptees), and ascendants. Thus, Jota’s children would inherit tax-free, a stark privilege compared to jurisdictions like the UK or US with estate taxes up to 40%. Stepchildren lack automatic rights unless adopted, highlighting the transformative effect of legal adoption.

Beyond direct inheritance, adoptees benefit from inter vivos gifts. Ronaldo could transfer assets like property or shares during his lifetime, subject to the same exemptions, ensuring lifelong financial support. Reports indicate Ronaldo’s intent to raise them in Saudi Arabia (where he plays for Al-Nassr), but Portuguese law governs inheritance if Ronaldo remains domiciled there or elects it via EU regulations. This cross-border element adds complexity, potentially invoking the EU Succession Regulation (Brussels IV), allowing choice of law based on nationality.

Citizenship, Social, and Educational Privileges

Adoption also secures citizenship rights. As Portuguese nationals (like Jota and Ronaldo), the children already hold EU passports, but adoption reinforces this, granting access to Ronaldo’s global network. Foreign-adopted children by Portuguese citizens automatically acquire citizenship, though irrelevant here. More pertinently, they gain parental leave equivalents: adopters receive up to 120-150 days of paid leave, extendable for multiple children. Ronaldo, with his flexible career, could dedicate time to bonding.

Socio-economically, the privileges are immense. As Ronaldo’s children, they would enjoy elite education—perhaps at international schools in Madrid, Manchester, or Riyadh—funded by his wealth. Access to top-tier healthcare, security, and travel (private jets, luxury homes) elevates their lifestyle. Ronaldo’s philanthropy, via the CR7 Foundation, could extend to them, fostering opportunities in sports or business.

Publicly, the Ronaldo name carries intangible benefits: media attention, endorsement deals, and social influence. However, this fame brings scrutiny, potentially invoking child protection laws to shield their privacy. Portuguese courts prioritize anonymity in adoption proceedings, but Ronaldo’s celebrity might challenge this.

Potential Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While privileges abound, challenges exist. If Cardoso retains custody, Ronaldo’s role might be guardianship rather than full adoption, limiting rights. Reports vary—some suggest temporary care until 18, others full integration. Ethically, adoption post-tragedy raises questions of cultural continuity; Jota’s children, rooted in Portuguese football heritage, might benefit from Ronaldo’s mentorship but risk identity dilution.

Moreover, Ronaldo’s relocation to Saudi Arabia introduces Sharia influences, though Portuguese law prevails for EU citizens. Inheritance there favors males, but adoption would default to Ronaldo’s chosen law.

Conclusion

In summary, if Cristiano Ronaldo formally adopts Diogo Jota’s children, they would inherit a constellation of legal privileges under Portuguese law: equal status to biological children, tax-free inheritance from a billionaire estate, citizenship security, and parental support rights. These extend to unparalleled socio-economic advantages, from financial windfalls to global opportunities, transforming their lives amid profound loss. This case exemplifies how adoption in Portugal not only mends families but amplifies futures, particularly when intertwined with celebrity. As proceedings unfold, the focus must remain on the children’s best interests, ensuring Ronaldo’s generosity translates into enduring stability.