After Liverpool FC announced last week that forward Diogo Jota’s No. 20 kit would be “rightly immortalized” following the forward’s death in a car crash in Spain, the club has revealed more details of what that tribute will look like.
The reigning English Premier League champions announced on their website on Friday, July 11, that the number 20 would be retired across all levels of the club — meaning no player on their men’s first team, women’s first team or academy teams would ever wear the number on their jersey again.
The decision was made after consultation with Jota’s wife and family.
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.
Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were killed in the crash in Zamora, northwestern Spain, early in the morning of Thursday, July 3. Jota was only 28 years old. Spain’s Guardia Civil said that the crash was caused by a “burst tire while overtaking,” with the vehicle Jota and Silva were in leaving the road and catching fire.
“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” said Michael Edwards, CEO of Football for Fenway Sports Group, which owns Liverpool FC. “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.”
Jota’s memory will also be honoured during Liverpool’s preseason friendly against Preston North End on Sunday, July 13. Tributes will include a special rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a song synonymous with Liverpool FC, and Preston North End players will lay a wreath honouring Jota in front of the visiting supporters’ section.
