Liverpool Retires No. 20 Shirt in Memory of Diogo Jota After Tragic Death
Liverpool Football Club has made a heartfelt decision to retire the No. 20 shirt in honor of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash on July 3, 2025. The 28-year-old Portuguese star died alongside his brother, Andre Silva, near Zamora, Spain. Liverpool announced that the No. 20 shirt, worn by Jota during his time at the club, will no longer be used across all levels, including the men’s team, women’s team, and academy. A memorial wall near Anfield Stadium has also been created, where fans have added messages to honor Diogo Jota of Liverpool FC.
For the first time in Liverpool FC’s 133-year history, the club has retired a shirt number. The No. 20, worn by Diogo Jota, will forever be linked to his legacy. “It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process – and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club’s number 20,” the club said in a statement. The decision was made after discussions with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and his family, ensuring their support for this special honor in Diogo Jota Liverpool FC.
Michael Edwards, CEO of football for Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, emphasized the importance of this tribute. “As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way,” he said. “This is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person. By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal, and therefore never to be forgotten”. This move highlights Jota’s incredible impact both on and off the field in Diogo Jota Liverpool FC.
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for a reported £41 million. During his five years at the club, he played 182 matches and scored 65 goals, helping Liverpool win the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup. His most successful season came in 2024–25, when he played a key role in securing Liverpool’s record-equaling 20th English league title. Additionally, Jota won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in 2025, marking a high point in his career with Diogo Jota Liverpool FC.
Forever our number 20… ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SKrbd8CMgE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 11, 2025
Memorial Wall and Tributes at Anfield
Following Jota’s tragic death, fans created a memorial wall near Anfield Stadium to honor Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva. The wall, located on Sybil Road, features the words “Forever 20” painted in tribute to Jota’s squad number. Fans have added flowers, scarves, shirts, and heartfelt messages to the memorial wall, showing their love for Diogo Jota Liverpool FC. On July 11, 2025, Jota’s wife, Rute, and Liverpool players, including captain Virgil van Dijk, visited the site to view the tributes.
The funeral for Jota and his brother took place in their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5, 2025. Liverpool players, including Van Dijk and Andy Robertson, attended, carrying floral tributes shaped like shirts with the numbers 20 and 30, representing Jota and Silva’s squad numbers. The outpouring of grief from the football community showed how much Jota meant to Diogo Jota Liverpool FC and beyond.
Liverpool’s decision to retire the No. 20 shirt ensures that Diogo Jota’s legacy will live on. The club timed the announcement at 20:20 BST on July 11, 2025, as a symbolic gesture. Further tributes are planned for Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Preston North End on July 13, 2025, including a minute’s silence and the playing of the club anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The memorial wall near Anfield Stadium continues to grow, with fans adding messages to honor Diogo Jota Liverpool FC.
