Renowned English football club Liverpool has declared their decision to retire Jersey No.20 across all levels after the tragic demise of Diogo Jota. The news comes a little over a week after Jota and his brother passed away during a car accident in Spain.
Jota, 28, had been married to Rute Cardoso only ten days before the accident, with his brother Andre Silva also losing his life in the mishap. A host of footballers, including his Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo expressed their grief on and off the field. Jota and Silva's funeral took place at a chapel in Portugal.
In an official statement, Liverpool stated the below, as quoted in the website:
"By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal — and therefore never to be forgotten. Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore — with honour, distinction and affection — the number 20. As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20."
"The essence of what a Liverpool player should be" - Arne Slot on Diogo Jota
In his tribute statement for Jota, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he has been left in complete shock and that his commitment towards the game and club was there for everyone to see. Slot stated, as quoted by independent.co.uk:
"For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special. I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be."
