July 11, (THEWILL) — Liverpool Football Club has formally retired the number 20 shirt at all levels in honour of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain on July 3. The decision followed consultations with his wife, Rute, and other members of his family. The club confirmed that no player across its senior men’s, women’s or academy teams will wear the number again.
Jota had been returning to the United Kingdom alongside his younger brother, André Silva, when their vehicle crashed near Zamora. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. The tragedy stunned the football world and sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans, teammates, and opponents alike.
In a statement issued by the club, Fenway Sports Group CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, said Liverpool felt the need to act on the wishes of supporters. “It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention,” he said. “As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”
The 28-year-old joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and made 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals and registering 26 assists. During his five-year spell at Anfield, he won two English Premier League titles, two EFL Cups, and one FA Cup. He was widely regarded for his finishing instinct, positional intelligence, and team-first approach.
This marks the first time in Liverpool’s history that a squad number has been retired. The gesture cements Jota’s place in the club’s legacy and is intended to serve as a lasting reminder of his impact both on and off the pitch.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
