Liverpool Football Club has announced it will retire the No. 20 jersey across all levels of the club in tribute to forward Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother, André, in a devastating car accident in northwestern Spain last Thursday.
The 27-year-old Portuguese international, who joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, quickly became a key figure at Anfield.
He helped the Reds lift the Premier League title last season, the club’s 20th top-flight triumph, making his squad number especially symbolic. Jota wore the No. 20 shirt throughout his five years on Merseyside.
Jota and his younger brother were laid to rest in their hometown of Gondomar on Saturday, with tributes continuing to pour in from across the footballing world. Moments of silence, black armbands and other honours have already taken place during Club World Cup fixtures and UEFA Euro 2025 matches.
In a statement released by the club on Monday, Liverpool confirmed the No. 20 shirt would be permanently retired from use, not only by the men’s first team but across all levels of the club, including the LFC Women and the youth academy.
“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce that the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels,” the statement read.
“The move is a 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 team-mates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.”
Liverpool’s CEO, Michael Edwards, said the club felt a deep sense of responsibility to honour the wishes of Jota’s family while also acknowledging the strong sentiments of the fans.
“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 intentions,” Edwards stated. “I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. So we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.”
He added: “By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, and he won us number 20. He wore it with honour, distinction, and affection. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”
Liverpool will play their first pre-season match since the tragedy on Sunday against Preston North End. In honour of Jota, Preston will lay a wreath in front of the away supporters, and both teams will observe a minute’s silence before kick-off. Players from both sides will also wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
Editing by M10News Sports Desk | Contact: sports@m10news.com
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