Liverpool supporters have called for the club to retire the No. 20 shirt in honor of the late Diogo Jota.
The soccer community is in mourning following the tragic passing of the Reds and Portugal forward, aged 28, and his brother Andre Silva, who were both killed in a car accident in Spain early on Thursday. Andre was also a professional soccer player.
Spanish officials reported that the brothers were found deceased after their vehicle veered off a road near the city of Zamora. Authorities suspect a tyre blowout caused the crash. Liverpool expressed its devastation at the news, describing it as an "unimaginable loss."
The Portuguese Football Federation stated: "Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football."
Jota netted six goals in 26 appearances as Liverpool clinched the 2024-25 Premier League title. This marked the Reds' 20th English top-flight title triumph, with Jota fittingly donning the No. 20 shirt.
In response to the heartbreaking news, several Liverpool fans have taken to social media to implore the club to retire the No. 20 shirt as a tribute, a move the club has never made before. One fan commented: "Diogo Jota won Liverpool's 20th title, while wearing #20. Retire the number."
Some of the tributes to Diogo Jota that have been laid at Anfield
Some of the tributes to Diogo Jota that have been laid at Anfield (Image: Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)
Another supporter remarked: "Football is the most unimportant thing right now, but I hope Liverpool retire number 20. It would feel wrong for most supporters seeing anyone else wear it after the tragic loss of Diogo Jota - but mainly as a sign of respect and gratitude for everything he did and who he was."
One supporter expressed: "The only comfort I can think of is Diogo Jota had probably the best month or so of his life winning the Premier League with Liverpool, Nations League with Portugal and had a wonderful wedding with his wife and kids before he tragically passed away. Will always be a legend and our lad from Portugal. @LFC need to retire the No. 20 shirt though in his honor."
Another fan echoed this sentiment, stating: "Would love for the club to retire the number 20 jersey in respect to Diogo Jota."
A fifth fan shared: "This is heartbreaking, a player who I think a lot of us took for granted at points due to injuries but is someone who gave us some unbelievable moments! Number 20 should be retired, RIP Diogo and Andre."
Following the confirmation of Jota's passing, Liverpool released the following statement: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed that the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support."
The Portuguese national team paid tribute to Diogo Jota with a heartfelt statement, saying: "Diogo Jota was not only a fantastic player with almost 50 caps for the national team, but also an extraordinary person who was respected by all his teammates and opponents. He had a contagious joy and was a reference point in his own community."
Jota's life off the pitch was marked by personal joy as well, having married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, in Portugal on June 22, just 11 days before the tragic accident that took his life. The couple were proud parents to three children.