Liverpool retire No 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota after forward’s death
- Number will no longer be used across all club’s teams
- 28-year-old died alongside his brother in car crash
Liverpool have permanently retired their No 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash alongside his brother, André Silva, last week. The club have announced that the No 20 will no longer be used across all levels of the club, including the men’s team, the women’s team and through academy levels.
The tribute, the first in Liverpool’s history, is a reflection of how valued the Portugal international was as a player and a person at the club. Liverpool fans have called for the retirement of the No 20 shirt since the 28-year-old and his brother died in north-western Spain. Liverpool deliberately timed the announcement at 20:20 BST on Friday.
The decision to retire the shirt was made after consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and parents, Isabel and Joaquim, who travelled to Merseyside on Friday to witness the outpouring of affection for the striker and the tributes left outside Anfield. Jota’s family were accompanied to the stadium by the entire Liverpool squad as they made their first public appearance since the tragic accident.
Jota died just 11 days after his marriage to his long-term partner and left behind three young children. He and his brother were understood to be driving to Santander to take a ferry back to England before pre-season training, having been advised not to fly following a recent lung procedure.
Liverpool will play their first game since the accident at Preston on Sunday, when both clubs will pay a number of tributes to Jota and his brother. Liverpool’s anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone, will be played before kick-off and there will be a minute’s silence at Deepdale, where both sets of players will wear black armbands.
Liverpool make ultimate tribute as club confirms retirement of Diogo Jota’s No. 20 shirt
Liverpool have announced they will retire the no. 20 shirt after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain in the early hours of July 3.
Tributes from the Premier League and beyond flew following the devastating news.
And now Liverpool have paid Jota the ultimate tribute by choosing to retire the no. 20 shirt that he enjoyed so much success in.
“It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club’s number 20,” a statement read.
“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy.
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“The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.
“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” said Michael Edwards, FSG CEO of Football.
“It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.
“I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.
“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.
“Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.
“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”
The statement also said: “What Jota meant – and continues to mean – to teammates, colleagues and supporters has been evident in the tributes that have followed since he and his brother, André, passed away.
“He was not only an outstanding footballer, he was also an outstanding human being.
“The shock and grief of his passing will continue to be felt for a long time to come and the club stands alongside and sends love to Rute, his three children, his parents and the rest of his – and André’s – family and friends.
“Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon collectively added: “The fact that in the long and storied history of our club this honour has never previously been bestowed shows the significance of Diogo to Liverpool Football Club.
“‘His memory and contribution will be immortalised by his association with the number 20.
“‘Our love goes to Rute, his three beautiful children and his family as they continue to grieve the loss of Diogo and André.’
“Diogo Jota. Our lad from Portugal. Forever our number 20.”
A wake for Jota and Silva was held on July 4, with the funeral taking place the following morning.
On Friday, Liverpool players and staff members paid their respects at Anfield with roses amid the thousands of flowers on display.
The Reds’ pre-season friendly against Preston North End will still take place this Sunday.
Both teams will wear black armbands, with a series of tributes set to be made including a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.