Liverpool Football Club has announced that it will retire Diogo Jota’s number 20 shirt in honour of the Portugal forward who tragically lost his life in a car accident earlier this month.
The club made the announcement on Friday, stating that the decision was made in consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute, and his family.
The number 20 shirt will be retired across all levels of the club, including LFC Women and Academy, as a lasting tribute to Jota’s memory.
-Liverpool’s Chief Executive, Michael Edwards, noted that this is the first time in the club’s history that a squad number has been retired in honour of an individual, making it a unique tribute to Jota’s remarkable personality.
Jota, 26, and his brother, André Silva, died in a car accident on July 3 after their Lamborghini came off the road and burst into flames in northern Spain.
Before Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Preston on Sunday, a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” will be played, and Preston will lay a wreath in front of the away supporters.
A minute’s silence will be observed, and digital tributes will be displayed on the stadium’s big screen and pitchside advertising boards.
Players from both teams will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
