Liverpool have confirmed they may retire the No.20 shirt worn by Diogo Jota as a tribute to the Portuguese ahead, who tragically misplaced his life in a automobile accident alongside his brother, Andre Silva.
Following discussions with Jota’s spouse, Rute Cardoso, and his household, the membership made the choice to make sure that “Diogo will without end be Liverpool’s quantity 20.”
In an official assertion, the membership introduced the quantity could be retired “in honour and reminiscence of Diogo throughout all ranges,” which incorporates the ladies’s aspect and each degree of the academy.
They continued: “The transfer is recognition of not solely the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the past 5 years, but additionally the profound private influence he had on his team-mates, colleagues and supporters and the eternal connections he constructed with them.”
Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves and went on to make 182 appearances, netting 65 objectives. Throughout his time at Anfield, he lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, gained the League Cup once more in 2024, and helped safe the Premier League title final season.
Fenway Sports activities Group’s chief govt of soccer, Michael Edwards, stated: “As a membership, we had been all conscious about the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt precisely the identical approach.
Liverpool FC will retire the quantity 20 jersey throughout all ranges of the membership in honour and reminiscence of Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 11, 2025
“It was vitally vital to us to contain Diogo’s spouse, Rute, and his household within the choice and to make sure they had been the primary to know of our intention.
“I imagine that is the primary time in Liverpool’s historical past that such an honour has been bestowed upon a person. Due to this fact, we are able to say this can be a distinctive tribute to a uniquely great particular person.
“By retiring this squad quantity, we’re making it everlasting – and due to this fact by no means to be forgotten.”
The deadly crash occurred on 3 July when the Lamborghini Jota was driving suffered a tyre blowout whereas overtaking, inflicting the automobile to veer off the highway.
He had been en route again to Merseyside for pre-season coaching. As a consequence of current minor surgical procedure, docs had suggested him to not fly, prompting him to journey through automobile and ferry as an alternative.
A funeral service for Diogo and Andre was held of their hometown of Gondomar final Saturday, with a big Liverpool delegation current to pay their respects.
