Liverpool have confirmed they’ll retire the No.20 shirt worn by Diogo Jota as a tribute to the Portuguese ahead, who tragically misplaced his life in a automotive 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 can be retired “in honour and reminiscence of Diogo throughout all ranges,” which incorporates the ladies’s aspect and each stage 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 impression 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 targets. Throughout his time at Anfield, he lifted the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, received the League Cup once more in 2024, and helped safe the Premier League title final season.
Fenway Sports activities Group’s chief government of soccer, Michael Edwards, mentioned: “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 essential to us to contain Diogo’s spouse, Rute, and his household within the resolution 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. Subsequently, we will say it is 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 automotive to veer off the street.
He had been en route again to Merseyside for pre-season coaching. Attributable to current minor surgical procedure, medical doctors had suggested him to not fly, prompting him to journey by way of automotive and ferry as an alternative.
A funeral service for Diogo and Andre was held of their hometown of Gondomar final Saturday, with a major Liverpool delegation current to pay their respects.
