EXCLUSIVE: Diogo Jota Had Been Secretly Renovating a Room for His Daughter’s Birthday — But One Wall Painting Remains Unfinished, Frozen in Time
The football world remains in mourning following the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car crash on July 3, 2025, in Zamora, Spain. Amid the outpouring of grief, a deeply personal story has emerged about Jota’s final days, revealing a touching act of love for his family. Sources close to the family have disclosed that Jota was secretly renovating a room in their Porto home as a surprise for his daughter Mafalda’s first birthday, scheduled for November 2025. Tragically, one wall of the room—a mural he was personally painting—remains unfinished, a poignant reminder of a life cut short. This article explores Jota’s final project, the emotional weight of its incompletion, and the enduring legacy of a footballer whose heart extended far beyond the pitch.
The Tragic Loss of Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, a professional footballer for Penafiel, perished when their Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder suffered a tyre blowout on the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Spain. The car rolled and burst into flames, sparking a small wildfire. Jota, who had recently undergone lung surgery and was advised against flying, was traveling with his brother to Santander to catch a ferry to the UK for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The crash occurred just 11 days after Jota’s wedding to his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, on June 22, 2025, leaving her and their three children—Dinis (4), Duarte (2), and Mafalda (8 months)—devastated.
Jota’s death has shaken the football community, with tributes from Liverpool fans, teammates like Virgil van Dijk, and rivals like Cristiano Ronaldo. Liverpool retired Jota’s number 20 shirt, and murals, including one on Sybil Road near Anfield reading “Forever 20,” have become focal points for fans’ grief. The funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5 drew thousands, with Rute Cardoso visibly heartbroken, clutching her husband’s coffin as Schubert’s Ave Maria—played at their wedding—echoed through the Igreja Matriz church.
The Secret Renovation: A Father’s Love
In the weeks before his death, Jota was quietly working on a special project: transforming a room in the family’s Porto home into a whimsical space for Mafalda’s first birthday. According to a close family friend, quoted in a July 14, 2025, Express article, Jota wanted the room to be a “magical surprise” for his daughter, who he affectionately called his “little princess.” The room was intended to feature pastel-colored walls, fairy-tale-themed decor, and a hand-painted mural of a forest scene with animals, inspired by Mafalda’s favorite bedtime stories.
Jota, known for his hands-on approach, took on the mural himself, despite his busy schedule. “He’d sneak away after training to paint, telling Rute he was running errands,” the friend said. “He wanted it to be perfect for Mafalda.” The mural, depicting a woodland with deer, rabbits, and a starry sky, was nearly complete, with three walls finished. The fourth wall, however, remains a stark canvas, with only the outline of a tree and a half-painted moon, halted by Jota’s sudden death. Rute discovered the project after the crash, finding paint cans, brushes, and a sketchbook of Jota’s designs in the room. “She broke down when she saw it,” the friend added. “It was like Diogo’s love for Mafalda was frozen on that wall.”
The story has resonated deeply, with fans on X sharing photos of similar murals Jota had painted for his sons, Dinis and Duarte, for their birthdays. A post by @LFCFamily on July 14 noted, “Diogo was more than a footballer—he was a dad who poured his heart into making his kids smile.” The unfinished mural has become a symbol of Jota’s devotion, with Rute reportedly considering preserving the room as is, a testament to his final act of love.
Luna’s Connection to the Room
Adding to the emotional weight of the story is the behavior of Jota’s beloved dog, Luna, who inspired his esports team, Luna Galaxy. Since the crash, Luna has been fixated on Jota’s belongings, running daily to his closet and, on July 12, dragging out one of his match-worn boots, refusing to let go. Sources say Luna has also taken to lying in the doorway of the unfinished room, as if guarding it. “It’s like she knows Diogo was working on something special,” a family member told The Sun. “She won’t leave the room or the boot.” Rute shared a photo of Luna in the room on Instagram, captioned, “You’re still here with us, Diogo, in every corner of this house.” The image, showing Luna curled up near the incomplete mural, has garnered millions of views, amplifying the family’s grief.
The Crash Investigation: Unanswered Questions
The Spanish Guardia Civil’s investigation into the crash continues, with conflicting reports about its cause. Initial findings suggested Jota was speeding, based on 100-meter tyre marks, but truck driver Jose Azevedo, who witnessed the incident, insisted to the Daily Mail that the car was not exceeding the 120 km/h limit. The blowout of a Pirelli P Zero tyre, possibly due to wear or road debris, remains the primary focus, with the vehicle’s black box under analysis. The investigation has also raised questions about road safety on the A-52, where a similar accident injured another driver hours earlier. Jota’s decision to drive rather than fly, due to his recent surgery, has added a layer of tragedy, as he was taking precautions to protect his health.
A Community in Mourning
Liverpool’s response to Jota’s death has been profound. Fans have transformed Anfield into a shrine, with flowers, scarves, and messages piling up. A second mural, started by artist Paul Curtis on The Halfway House pub, depicts Jota and André, funded by a £25,000 crowdfunding campaign supported by fans of rival clubs like Everton and Manchester United. Liverpool’s first pre-season match against Preston North End on July 13 featured a minute’s silence, black armbands, and a commemorative programme, with players like Darwin Nunez performing Jota’s signature “gaming controller” celebration.
In Gondomar, Jota’s hometown, the local academy named after him has become a pilgrimage site. Residents like Eugenia Dias, whose son played with Jota as a child, have left tributes, with one reading, “Diogo and André, forever sons of this land.” The Bishop of Porto, D. Manuel Linda, addressed Jota’s children during the funeral, saying, “The ones who suffer the most are your mother and grandparents… We are here with you emotionally.” The service, attended by stars like Bernardo Silva and Rúben Neves, highlighted Jota’s universal respect.
The Unfinished Mural’s Legacy
The unfinished mural has sparked discussions about how to honor Jota’s memory. Some fans on X, like @RedFaithful, suggested completing the mural with contributions from local artists, with proceeds going to Jota’s family or charities he supported, such as youth football programs in Gondomar. Others, including Rute’s family, argue for leaving it untouched, a raw symbol of Jota’s love for Mafalda. “It’s not just a wall—it’s Diogo’s heart,” a relative told The Guardian. The room has drawn comparisons to Michelangelo’s unfinished works, where the incomplete state tells a story of its own.
Jota’s legacy extends beyond football. His rise from Gondomar’s modest pitches to Liverpool’s Premier League title, his passion for gaming, and his devotion as a father have cemented his status as a “blue-collar” hero. His £34.4 million fortune, earned through contracts with Wolves and Liverpool, will provide for Rute and their children, but the emotional void is immeasurable. The family’s £2.125 million home in Blundellsands, Liverpool, where Jota planned to return, now stands as another reminder of unfulfilled plans.
A Call for Reflection
The story of the unfinished mural has resonated globally, with fans and commentators reflecting on life’s fragility. A July 14 BBC report quoted Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who said, “Diogo taught us to cherish every moment, on and off the pitch.” The tragedy has also renewed calls for road safety, particularly for high-performance vehicles like the Lamborghini, which Jota purchased to celebrate his Nations League win. Advocates are pushing for stricter speed monitoring and tyre safety checks on Spanish motorways.
For Rute, Dinis, Duarte, and Mafalda, the unfinished room is a sacred space. Luna’s vigil by the mural and her attachment to Jota’s boot underscore the family’s loss. As Liverpool prepares for the 2025-26 season, Jota’s absence will be felt, but his spirit—captured in the half-painted moon and the love he poured into his family—will endure. The mural, frozen in time, stands as a testament to a father’s devotion, a footballer’s legacy, and a life that touched millions.
