Liverpool retires jersey number 20 in honour of Diogo Jota

Liverpool have confirmed they will retire Diogo Jota's number 20

By Amina Wako
Saturday, July 12, 2025

Liverpool Football Club has retired the number 20 shirt worn by Portuguese forward Diogo Jota following his tragic death in a car accident last week. The 28-year-old passed away alongside his brother, fellow professional footballer André Silva, near the north-western Spanish city of Zamora.

In an emotional statement released on Friday, the club confirmed that Diogo’s number would be permanently retired across all levels of the organisation including the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the academy sides.

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Liverpool FC will retire the number 20 jersey across all levels of the club in honour and memory of Diogo Jota.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 11, 2025

“It was the number he wore with pride and distinction, leading us to countless victories in the process and Diogo Jota will forever be Liverpool Football Club's number 20,” read the club’s tribute.

Diogo had just concluded the most successful season of his career, playing a pivotal role in Liverpool’s record-equalling 20th English league title and helping Portugal lift the UEFA Nations League. During his time at Anfield, he made 182 appearances, scored 65 goals, and won multiple trophies including the Premier League, FA Cup, and English League Cup.

The decision to retire his shirt number came after discussions with Diogo’s family, according to the club.

Michael Edwards, chief executive of football for Liverpool’s parent company Fenway Sports Group, emphasised the unprecedented nature of the move.

“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,” Edwards said.

“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal, and therefore never to be forgotten. As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters and we felt exactly the same way.”

The tragic news sent shockwaves through the footballing world. Last weekend, players from Liverpool and the Portuguese national team joined family and friends for the funeral of Diogo and his brother.

In Liverpool, supporters laid flowers and scarves outside Anfield in a heartfelt display of mourning, paying tribute to a player whose energy, commitment, and humility had made him a fan favourite.