Liverpool Football Club has announced it will permanently retire the number 20 shirt in honour of forward Diogo Jota, who was tragically killed in a car accident last week.
The decision was made in close consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and his family. The club confirmed the number “will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels,” including the women’s team and the academy, ensuring he “will forever be Liverpool’s number 20”.
In a statement, Liverpool said the move recognizes “not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes… but also the profound personal impact he had on his team-mates, colleagues and supporters.”
Fenway Sports Group’s chief executive of football, Michael Edwards, described the gesture as a “unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.” He stated, “It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision… I believe this is the first time in Liverpool’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.”
Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 26, died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday, July 3. Jota was reportedly travelling by car to return for Liverpool’s pre-season training on medical advice following a recent minor surgery.
On Friday, Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, accompanied by Liverpool manager Arne Slot and the first-team squad, visited Anfield to view the vast number of floral tributes, scarves, and messages left by fans outside the stadium. A large delegation from the club had also attended the brothers’ funeral in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, last Saturday.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances and winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and two League Cups.
Liverpool will play their first match since the tragedy on Sunday, in a pre-season friendly against Preston North End at Deepdale, where a minute’s silence will be held and further tributes are planned to commemorate Jota and his brother.
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