Liverpool FC announced that Diogo Jota’s number 20 will be “rightly immortalised” on Thursday evening, as news of the Portuguese winger’s tragic passing in a car accident sparked shock and condolences around the world.
Following reports that Jota died overnight on Thursday in a crash on Spain’s A-52 highway near Sanabria, calls quickly grew from fans urging Liverpool to retire his number 20 jersey in tribute. The club has now confirmed that the number will be immortalised in honour of Jota’s impact since joining in 2020.
“The No.20 will be rightly immortalised for his contributions as part of Liverpool’s 2024-25 title-winners – the club’s 20th – with his trademark shimmy and strike in front of the Kop to seal victory in April’s Merseyside derby a poignant last goal of his life,” the club said in a statement.
According to authorities and media reports, Jota’s Lamborghini Urus SUV veered off the road and caught fire after a tyre blew out while overtaking another vehicle. His brother, André Silva, a footballer for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel, was also in the vehicle and died at the scene. Reports indicate the brothers were travelling to Santander to catch a ferry to England so Jota could rejoin Liverpool for preseason training, following medical advice against flying after recent lung surgery.
“Wore number 20, won us number 20”
Liverpool FC released a brief statement expressing devastation at Jota’s death, requesting privacy for the family, friends, teammates, and club staff “as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”
Outside Anfield, fans have gathered to lay flowers and scarves in Jota’s memory, while on social media, many are calling for Liverpool to retire the number 20 shirt permanently.
“Football is the most unimportant thing right now, but I hope Liverpool retire number 20,” one supporter posted on X, while another noted, “In the season Liverpool won their 20th league title, we lose him. Maybe the club should retire that number in his honour. Forever 20.”
Since arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, Jota scored 182 goals and provided 65 assists for Liverpool, primarily operating on the left wing or as a false nine. This year’s title win marked Liverpool’s 20th league championship, making Jota’s number 20 particularly symbolic.
Liverpool, a club with a 133-year history, has never retired a shirt number, but the outpouring of grief and respect for Jota may change that.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed the club’s shock in a heartfelt letter on Thursday.
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager,” Slot wrote. “They are of a father, a son, a brother, and an uncle, and they belong to the family of Diogo and André Silva, who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.”
