Liverpool to pay tribute to Diogo Jota; fans call for number 20 retirement

Grief enveloped Liverpool on the morning of July 3, 2025, when the club confirmed the death of Diogo Jota, the 28-year-old Portuguese striker, in a tragic car accident in Spain alongside his brother, André Silva. The incident, which occurred on the A-52 highway in Zamora, shocked the football world and mobilized fans, who filled the surroundings of Anfield Stadium with flowers, shirts, and heartfelt messages. Liverpool announced a series of tributes to celebrate the legacy of their number 20, while supporters are pressing for the permanent retirement of the shirt. The news devastated not only Reds fans but also players, rival clubs, and the global sports community, who mourned the loss of a talented and charismatic athlete.

Jota’s journey, marked by decisive goals and dedication, left an indelible mark on the club and the Portuguese national team. He had married just 11 days prior and won the UEFA Nations League with Portugal in June 2025. The accident, caused by a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, resulted in a fire that claimed the brothers’ lives.

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In response to the outpouring of grief, Liverpool issued an official statement expressing devastation and pledging actions to honor the player. Key points highlighted by the club include:

• Meaningful tributes involving the number 20 shirt.
• Support for Jota’s family, including his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children.
• Respect for the family’s privacy during their mourning.
• Commitment to perpetuating the striker’s legacy.

Reactions at Anfield and across football

The news of Diogo Jota’s death spread rapidly, drawing hundreds of fans to Anfield. Banners reading “Forever Red” and wreaths with lyrics from the song dedicated to the player adorned the stadium’s gates. One supporter displayed a Premier League shirt from the 2024-25 season, symbolizing Jota’s role in the title. The club’s flag was flown at half-mast, reflecting the depth of the mourning.

Rival clubs, such as Everton and Manchester United, also expressed their condolences. Everton, Liverpool’s historic rival, changed its social media crest to black and white as a sign of respect. Manchester United issued a statement of solidarity with Jota’s family and Liverpool. Even giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain released statements, underscoring the global impact of the tragedy.

Diogo Jota’s legacy at Liverpool

Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolverhampton and quickly became a key figure in the squad. Scoring 21 goals in the 2021-22 season, he was instrumental in winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Despite injuries that sidelined him at times, his composure on the pitch delivered unforgettable moments, like the 94th-minute goal against Tottenham in 2023 and the decisive strike in the Merseyside derby in April 2025.

In total, Jota scored Liverpool’s 10,000th goal in club history and contributed to their 20th English title in the 2024-25 season. His bond with the fans was evident in the chant sung from the stands: “Oh, his name is Diogo, he wears number 20, he’ll lead us to victory.” This special connection fueled the call to retire the number 20 shirt, a rare gesture in European football but seen as fitting by many supporters.

Details of the fatal accident

The accident that killed Diogo Jota and André Silva occurred around 12:30 a.m. local time on the A-52 highway near Sanabria, in Zamora province. According to the Spanish Civil Guard, the Lamborghini Huracán they were traveling in suffered a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver, veered off the road, and caught fire. The bodies were found charred, but documents allowed for identification.

Jota was traveling by car on medical advice following lung surgery after the Nations League. The recommendation was to avoid the cabin pressure of an airplane, and the brothers were en route to Santander, where Jota would take a ferry to the UK. The tragedy abruptly ended the life of a player at the peak of his career and with a newly formed family.

Tributes from the Portuguese national team

For Portugal, Jota played nearly 50 matches and scored 14 goals, featuring in the Nations League-winning squads of 2019 and 2025. The Portuguese Football Federation issued a statement of condolence, describing the striker as “an extraordinary person, respected by teammates and opponents.” National team matches will observe moments of silence, and the squad will wear black armbands in mourning.

Teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes also paid tribute. Ronaldo, who celebrated with Jota after the Nations League title against Spain, wrote: “It makes no sense. Rest in peace, champions.” Fernandes highlighted their friendship and the “thousand battles” fought together.

Push to retire the number 20 shirt

The campaign to retire the number 20 gained traction on social media, with messages like “He wore 20 in the year we won our 20th title. Retire number 20.” While Liverpool has not confirmed the decision, the club indicated that the number will be “immortalized” through special actions. Retiring shirts is uncommon in football, but precedents like Maradona’s number 10 at Napoli suggest such gestures are possible in exceptional cases.

Factors supporting the fans’ request include:

• The coincidence of the number 20 with Liverpool’s 20th English title.
• Jota’s historic 10,000th goal for the club.
• The player’s strong connection with the fans, symbolized by his chant.
• The emotional weight of losing a young, beloved athlete.

Tributes from Brazilian clubs

The tragedy also resonated in Brazil, where clubs like Corinthians, Flamengo, Santos, and Athletico paid homage. Corinthians issued a statement of solidarity, wishing strength to the family and fans. Santos, the first Brazilian club to comment, expressed sorrow for the loss of Jota and André Silva. These gestures highlight the universal mourning in football, uniting fans across continents.

André Silva’s career

André Silva, Diogo Jota’s brother, was also a professional footballer, playing for Penafiel in Portugal’s second division. At 25, he had come through the youth ranks of clubs like Porto, Famalicão, and Boavista. Penafiel declared official mourning and pledged tributes in upcoming matches, lamenting the loss of “two such young lives.” André’s career, though less prominent, was marked by dedication and passion for the sport.

Liverpool’s planned actions

Liverpool stated that tributes to Jota will be “meaningful and inclusive,” involving fans and the club’s community. In addition to physical and digital condolence books, the club is planning tributes at upcoming matches, including moments of silence and possible displays at the stadium. Jota’s presence in the club’s recent history, with titles and iconic moments, ensures his legacy will endure.

Global solidarity in sports

Jota’s death transcended football, with messages from figures like LeBron James, a Liverpool shareholder, who wrote: “My prayers go to his loved ones. YNWA Jota!” Clubs from other sports, such as the Italian Football Federation, also offered condolences. The outpouring reflects not only Jota’s talent but his infectious personality, described as “contagious” by peers and fans.