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Liverpool have officially retired the No. 20 jersey to honor Diogo Jota, following the tragic passing of the Portuguese forward. Jota, aged 28, died in a car accident in Spain on July 3 alongside his brother, André Silva, while en route to pre-season training with the club.

The club had previously expressed its desire to immortalize the No. 20 shirt in tribute to Jota’s key role in securing Liverpool’s 20th Premier League title during the 2024–25 season. That intention has now been made official, with the club confirming that the number will be permanently retired across all teams, including the women’s and academy squads.

Liverpool released a heartfelt statement on their website:

“After consultation with his wife, Rute, and family, the club can announce the squad number will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels, including LFC Women and Academy.
The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds’ on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them.”

Chief Executive Michael Edwards reflected on the unprecedented tribute:

“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters – and we felt exactly the same way. 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.
I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say 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. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”

Diogo Jota’s Final Season and Career at Liverpool

In the 2024–25 season, Jota scored nine goals and provided four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. Since joining Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 for a reported €44.7 million, he featured in 182 matches, scoring 65 goals and delivering 26 assists during his five-year spell with the Reds.

Liverpool to Pay Tribute to Diogo Jota and Brother Ahead of Pre-Season Opener

Liverpool also announced plans to commemorate Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva ahead of their first pre-season match against Preston North End on Sunday, July 13. The tribute will include a minute’s silence before kick-off at Deepdale.

The club shared in its statement:

“The Reds will take to the pitch for a friendly at Deepdale on Sunday for the first time since the brothers tragically died in a road traffic accident in Spain. Ahead of the 3pm BST kick-off, there will be a rendition of LFC anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone and the home club will lay a wreath alongside the away supporters.
A minute’s silence will be observed in Diogo and André’s memory and digital tributes will be displayed on the screen and across pitchside LEDs. Both sets of players will wear black armbands.”

Diogo Jota’s legacy will now live on forever at Anfield, as Liverpool honors not only a remarkable footballer but a cherished member of the club’s family.