Liverpool Football Club has honoured the memory of forward Diogo Jota with a series of heartfelt tributes following his untimely death in a car accident in northern Spain on July 3. The 28-year-old Portuguese international and his brother, Andre Silva, were reportedly killed in the early hours of the morning.
Jota, who recently married his childhood sweetheart in Portugal, was widely admired not only for his contributions on the pitch but also for his character off it. In response to the tragedy, Liverpool has permanently retired his iconic No. 20 shirt across all levels of the club after consulting with his widow and family.
Further cementing his legacy, the club has created a dedicated section on its official website. Jota’s player profile remains listed under the first-team section with the subheading “Forever”, where a tribute concludes: “He will always be our number 20.”
In his first public remarks since the incident, Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot described the retirement of Jota’s shirt number as “the one thing we could, should, and have done.”
“We will always carry him with us—in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go,” Slot said in an emotional statement. “Especially in difficult moments. His spirit will remain part of us.”
Outside the stadium, a mural near Anfield has been completed in Jota’s memory. Created by local artist John Culshaw, the artwork depicts the forward smiling and forming a heart with his hands—a familiar gesture to fans.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and became a fan favourite for his sharp instincts, versatility, and crucial goals. His passing has sent shockwaves across the football community, with tributes pouring in from clubs, players, and fans around the world.
