LONDON, United Kingdom, Jul 12 – Liverpool are to retire the quantity 20 shirt in honour of ahead Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a automobile crash alongside together with his brother Andre Silva.
The Reds took the choice after consulting with Jota’s spouse Rute Cardoso and his household which suggests the Portugal worldwide “will endlessly be Liverpool’s quantity 20”.
A Liverpool assertion stated the quantity “can be retired in honour and reminiscence of Diogo throughout all ranges”, together with the ladies’s group and all through the academy.
They added: “The transfer is recognition of not solely the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the past 5 years, but in addition the profound private influence he had on his team-mates, colleagues and supporters and the eternal connections he constructed with them.”
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 targets in 182 appearances for the membership.
He additionally helped them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 – additionally successful the latter in 2024 – and the Premier League title final season.
“As a membership, we had been all aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt precisely the identical approach,” stated Fenway Sports Group chief govt of soccer Michael Edwards.
“It was vitally vital to us to contain Diogo’s spouse, Rute, and his household within the choice and to make sure they had been the primary to know of our intention.
“I imagine that is the primary time in Liverpool’s historical past that such an honour has been bestowed upon a person. Therefore, we are able to say this can be a distinctive tribute to a uniquely great particular person.
“By retiring this squad quantity, we’re making it everlasting – and subsequently by no means to be forgotten.”
Jota and his brother died on 3 July after their automobile, a Lamborghini, left the street because of a tyre blowout whereas overtaking one other car at about 00:30 native time on Thursday, 3 July.
Jota was on his approach again to Liverpool for pre-season and, as medical doctors had suggested him towards flying as a result of he had undergone minor surgical procedure, he was making the journey by automobile and ferry.
The funeral of the brothers happened of their hometown of Gondomar final Saturday when a big Liverpool delegation had been in attendance.
Jota’s spouse attends Anfield tributes
Jota’s spouse Rute Cardoso, members of the brothers’ household and Liverpool’s squad all visited Anfield on Friday to pay their respects.
Cardoso had three youngsters with the Portugal worldwide and the pair had married solely 11 days previous to his accident.
She was seen carrying flowers at Anfield as she seen the wealth of tributes which were left exterior the stadium in honour of Jota and his brother.
Liverpool gamers and workers have paid private tributes within the week however the squad went as one with supervisor Arne Slot together with Cardoso on Friday.
Liverpool will play their first recreation since Jota’s demise once they face Preston North End at Deepdale in a pre-season pleasant on Sunday.
Jota and Silva can be commemorated with plenty of tributes and there can be a minute’s silence on the recreation.
