Liverpool has decided to retire the No.20 shirt in memory of their former player, Diogo Jota. Jota who died in a road accident along with his brother Andre Silva in Spain, on July 3rd, 2025. The 28-year-old Portuguese international forward was among the fan favorites in the Klopp team in 2020. When he joined the Reds. In his time in the club, he was able to score 65 goals in 182 games at the club. In his time he won four major trophies in the club. During his time he won one FA Cup, two EFL Cup, and the last cup of the Premier League under the new manager Arne Slot in this 2024-25 season.
Diogo Jota’s career and achievements:
Diogo was born in Porto and began his career in the youth system of the Paicos de Ferreira. In 2016 he transferred to the Spanish team Atletico Madrid. However, in 2016 he was loaned directly back to the Portuguese domestic league team FC Porto. He was later moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Second Division. To assist them in getting a promotion to the Premier League. He signed up for the Reds in 2020 at a price of € 41 million under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp. On the international level, he was chosen to represent Portugal in the 2019 UEFA Nations League. He then featured in the 2020 and 2024 Euros as well as part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also took part in the victory in the Nations League finals in Portugal against Spain which also happened to be the last game of his life.
Both Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva have had tributes from the entire footballing world. Emotional scenes are witnessed at Anfield where other fans of the country. Even the rivals like those of Everton send tributes of flowers and scarves all around the stadium. The whole social media grieved for the loss of the player. The Instagram account of the official handle of the Portugal football team revealed it as a huge blow to the team because they had lost a good player. Other individuals such as the Legend, Cristiano Ronaldo talked about his sorrow and described it as shocking. During the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. They also observe 1minute of silence before each of the matches in his memory.
Retirement of the No. 20 shirt in honor of Diogo Jota:
Liverpool officially announced that Jota will have his No.20 jersey retired. This is the first time in the club’s history that they will retire any number under their player history. This action has enjoyed a mass following of all the supporters of not only Liverpool but also all the supporters of the football teams. The retirement of the shirt portrays more than honor to the player. But a long-lasting memory of the man who had created such emotional links with the Liverpool fans. This death of a great player leaves behind his wife Rute Cardoso who is also his childhood love. The wife he married only 11 days ago and his three kids.
Author’s opinion:
Such a retirement of Diogo Jota No. 20 shirt is just an excellent tribute to Liverpool. To such a great quality player and he just fitted very well into the Liverpool game. This will be a huge blow to Liverpool and the Portugal international men’s team and the gap will not be easily filled in the future ahead.
Serás para sempre recordado. Descansa em paz, Diogo Jota. 🤍
You will always be remembered. Rest in peace, Diogo Jota. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/VMCSlQ6c8A
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 5, 2025
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