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Sport Nation
Liverpool pay tribute to Diogo Jota in club first
Nicholas Quinlan • July 12th, 2025 12:44 pm
Liverpool FC have made the decision to retire Diogo Jota’s No. 20 jersey following his shock passing.
It was only last week that the Portuguese forward fell victim to a car accident with his brother, Andre, as a result of a tyre blowing out.
Following that tragic accident, there would be a mass outpouring of tributes from the football and sporting world celebrating the life of the 28-year-old, showing how loved he was.
And now, his legacy with the Merseyside club will be forever intertwined following the decision by the club to retire the No. 20 jersey, which he wore across all of his 182 appearances.
In a statement, Liverpool said that after speaking with his family, they have decided to retire his No.20 jersey to remember his legacy with the club across all teams.
“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,” it read.
“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.”
In the same statement, Fenway Sports Group (owners of Liverpool) CEO Michael Edwards also noted that this was the first time in history that Liverpool has retired a jersey number.
“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” he said.
“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.”
