Published by: Patrick Lance Guerra
Date Published: July 28, 2025
Time Published: 9:00 AM
Liverpool announces the retirement of their No. 20 shirt across all levels on their website to memorialize the Portugal forward, Diogo Jota’s sudden passing, together with his younger brother, AndrΓ© Silva, in a car crash on Friday, July 11.
Jota will be the first in Liverpool's history to receive such an honor, having been made after a consultation with Diogo’s parents and wife, Rute Cardoso, who had just gotten married two weeks before the tragic event, as stated in a release.
"This is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person," Liverpool’s Chief Executive, Michael Edwards, implied.
"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal—and therefore never to be forgotten. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20," he added.
From paying €20 a month to play at Gondomar SC to scoring twice for Portugal in the Nations League and becoming a key forward for Liverpool in the Premier League and Champions League, Diogo Jota built a legendary career through consistent performances, crucial goals, and a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable finishers.
Jota, a father of three, alongside AndrΓ© Silva, a Bundesliga striker, was killed on July 3 in the Lamborghini that was speculated to be going beyond the speed limit by the police before it crashed and burst into flames in northern Spain.
Liverpool will be back in action for the first time since the tragic accident this Sunday, against the English Championship side Preston.
After the rendition of Liverpool's anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone," Preston will be laying a wreath in front of the away supporters, followed by a minute of silence, where both clubs will wear black armbands in tribute to the fallen forward.
REFERENCES:
[1] Agence France-Presse. (2025, July 12). Liverpool to retire Diogo Jota’s number 20 shirt | ABS-CBN Sports. ABS-CBN. [https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/7/12/liverpool-to-retire-diogo-jotas-number-20-shirt-1229](https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/7/12/liverpool-to-retire-diogo-jotas-number-20-shirt-1229)
[2]Hunter, A. (2025, July 12). Liverpool retire No 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota after forward’s death. The Guardian. [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/11/liverpool-retire-no-20-shirt-in-honour-of-diogo-jota-after-forwards-tragic-death](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/11/liverpool-retire-no-20-shirt-in-honour-of-diogo-jota-after-forwards-tragic-death)
[3]Anderson, K. (2025, July 11). Liverpool FC to posthumously retire Diogo Jota’s No. 20 jersey across all levels. Yahoo Sports. [https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/liverpool-fc-to-posthumously-retire-diogo-jotas-no-20-jersey-across-all-levels-231040596.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMdWEiBik0YirwedDfaB3-HZ-6GVXNRJU_wR-dTwoYOyD8pF1zj116R-vGcKz7yGuiBEYOvUYcAXBhsBrn7oeucOyOTGRCQyjWHBqkcs3JTnODitZSxkl42f_EHnbl2GYb23LFdw2mPTNdsO7dC9vU3PsanvBivQNwydberUMwHL](https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/article/liverpool-fc-to-posthumously-retire-diogo-jotas-no-20-jersey-across-all-levels-231040596.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMdWEiBik0YirwedDfaB3-HZ-6GVXNRJU_wR-dTwoYOyD8pF1zj116R-vGcKz7yGuiBEYOvUYcAXBhsBrn7oeucOyOTGRCQyjWHBqkcs3JTnODitZSxkl42f_EHnbl2GYb23LFdw2mPTNdsO7dC9vU3PsanvBivQNwydberUMwHL)
[4]Alves, M. (2025, July 3). Diogo Jota: Liverpool’s Portuguese forward was an example of hope and optimism to his nation. BBC Sport. [https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd97j3y047po](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd97j3y047po)
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