Liverpool retire number 20 shirt in honour of Jota

The decision ensures that the Portugal international will eternally be remembered as Liverpool’s number 20

A fan adds a message to a memorial wall created near Anfield Stadium following the death of Liverpool soccer player Diogo Jota in Liverpool, Britain, Jul 9, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Liverpool have decided to retire the number 20 shirt in honour of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car crash along with his brother Andre Silva, BBC Sport reports.

The decision, reached after consultations with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and his family, ensures that the Portugal international will eternally be remembered as Liverpool’s number 20.

A Liverpool statement, as quoted by the BBC, said the number "will be retired in honour and memory of Diogo across all levels", including the women's team and throughout the 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 team-mates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them".

Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Merseysiders.

The winger played a pivotal role in securing the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, another League Cup in 2024, and the Premier League title last season, the club’s 20th top-flight triumph.

"As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters -- and we felt exactly the same way," Fenway Sports Group Chief Executive of Football Michael Edwards is quoted as saying by the BBC.

"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'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".

The fatal accident occurred on Jul 3, when the Lamborghini Jota was driving suffered a tyre burst while overtaking another vehicle, causing it to burn on the road.

Jota was returning to Liverpool for pre-season training, opting for a car and ferry journey after minor surgery made flying inadvisable.