Liverpool Football Club has officially announced the retirement of the No. 20 jersey across all its teams — including the senior men’s side, LFC Women, and the Academy — in honour of the late Diogo Jota.
In a heartfelt statement released on Friday, the club said: “Diogo Jota: Forever our number 20.” The tribute comes as a mark of respect and remembrance following the tragic passing of the 28-year-old Portuguese forward.
Jota, who joined Liverpool in 2020 and quickly became a fan favourite, made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals for the club. His contributions were instrumental in Liverpool’s recent domestic and European campaigns, and the club described him as a “true Red, on and off the pitch.”
The decision to retire his number ensures that Jota’s legacy will be permanently woven into the fabric of the club.
Liverpool FC has emphasized that the decision to retire the No. 20 shirt is a reflection of both Diogo Jota’s footballing legacy and the deep personal bonds he formed during his time at Anfield.
In an official statement, the club said the initiative 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.”
The tribute underscores Jota’s influence beyond goals and trophies — highlighting his character, leadership, and enduring presence in the hearts of those connected to the club.
Liverpool FC’s tribute to Diogo Jota continued with a heartfelt acknowledgment of the profound impact he had on and off the pitch.
“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,” the club stated.
Describing the No. 20 shirt as “the number he wore with pride and distinction,” Liverpool praised Jota’s pivotal role in leading the Reds to numerous victories. The club added that Jota was “not only an outstanding footballer, but also an outstanding human being.”
In honour of both Diogo and André Silva—his younger brother who also perished in the crash—Liverpool FC pledged to “stand alongside their family” through this tragedy.
The two brothers were killed in the early hours of July 3 in a devastating car crash in Zamora, Spain. Initial findings by Spain’s Guardia Civil indicate that a combination of speeding and a possible wheel malfunction caused their Lamborghini Huracán to veer off the road and burst into flames. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
André Silva, 25, was also a professional footballer, playing for FC Penafiel in Portugal’s second division.
The tragedy has drawn widespread tributes from across the footballing world and beyond. Notably, legendary British rock band Oasis dedicated their song “Live Forever” to Jota during a surprise reunion performance—one of many public gestures celebrating his legacy.
