In a deeply emotional and historic gesture, Liverpool Football Club has announced that the No. 20 shirt worn by Diogo Jota will be permanently retired, ensuring that it will be honored forever across all levels of the club.
Tragic Loss
On 3 July 2025, the football world was rocked by the news that Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva died in a fatal car crash in Spain. The tragedy came just days after Jota had married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, and left behind three children. His legacy as a player and as a person immediately triggered a wave of tributes from fans and teammates.
The Club’s Response
Liverpool consulted with Jota’s family, including his wife, before reaching the decision to retire the number. The move applies across the entire club structure — the men’s team, the women’s side, and the academy.
Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s CEO of Football, described the decision as “a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.” He highlighted that this is the first time in Liverpool’s history that a shirt number has been retired in this manner.
Liverpool said: “By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal — and therefore never to be forgotten.”
How They’re Honoring Him
Beyond retiring the jersey, Liverpool has put in place several commemorative tributes:
- Players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts and jackets during the 2025-26 season.
- A permanent memorial sculpture is planned outside Anfield, made using materials left by supporters in the days following Jota’s death.
- Floral tributes left outside the stadium will be composted and used across the club’s grounds. Other memorabilia will be recycled into the memorial artwork.
- There will be a fan mosaic and a minute of silence at the first Premier League home game of the season versus Bournemouth.
- Profits from shirts bearing “Diogo J. 20,” if fans opt to buy them, will go to the Liverpool FC Foundation, with a plan to establish a grassroots football programme in Jota’s name.
Why It Matters
This tribute is more than just symbolic. It speaks to how much Jota meant to Liverpool — not just in terms of his performances on the pitch, but in the connection he built with teammates, staff, and supporters. His contribution during his time at the club, especially as part of Liverpool’s 20th league title win and other successes, is seen as indelible.
The gesture of retiring a number is rare in football and is considered one of the highest honours a club can bestow. Liverpool’s decision reflects both their grief and their determination to preserve Jota’s memory permanently.
The Lasting Legacy
Jota will forever be remembered as Liverpool’s number 20. The club and its supporters have made it clear: his number, his name, and all he stood for will never be reused. In doing so, Liverpool has ensured that the impact of his life, on and off the pitch, will remain a part of the fabric of the club for generations to come.
