August 30, (THEWILL) — Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez, has confirmed that midfielder, Ruben Neves, will inherit the number 21 shirt previously worn by the late Diogo Jota. The announcement comes following Jota’s death in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on July 3, alongside his brother, Andre Silva. Jota had earned 49 caps for his country before the tragic incident.
Martinez explained that Neves represents the ideal choice to carry forward Jota’s legacy due to their close personal bond. The pair had played together at both Porto and Wolverhampton Wanderers, developing a strong friendship that extended beyond football. Neves served among the pallbearer at Jota’s funeral, demonstrating the depth of their relationship.
The Portugal manager emphasised that honouring Jota’s memory will drive the team’s ambitions for the upcoming World Cup. Martinez noted that Jota had harboured dreams of winning the tournament, and the squad remains committed to achieving that goal. Both players were part of the Portugal team that claimed the 2025 Nations League title in June.
Liverpool announced in July that they would permanently retire Jota’s number 20 shirt across all levels of the club, including men’s, women’s and academy teams. The decision followed discussions with Jota’s wife Rute and family members. James Milner currently wears the number 20 for Brighton and Hove Albion this season in tribute to his former teammate.
The English Premier League paid its respects during the opening weekend of the season, with all 10 fixtures observing a minute’s silence before kickoff. The gesture honoured both Jota and Silva following their deaths. Martinez confirmed that the number 21 shirt will remain active on the field through Neves, ensuring Jota’s presence continues within the Portugal squad.
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.
