"Forever our number 20": Liverpool retires Diogo Jota's shirt number
The Premier League club that the Portuguese footballer represented made the decision after "consulting his wife, Rute, and his family". It will also cover the LFC Women and Academy teams.
The club said the initiative 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 teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them."
"What Jota meant – and continues to mean – to teammates, colleagues and supporters has been evident in the tributes that have followed since he and his brother, André, passed away," the statement reads.
In the club's words, 20 was "the number [Jota] wore with pride and distinction", having led the team "to countless victories in the process".
Remembering the man who, the statement said, "was not only an outstanding footballer" but also "an outstanding human being", Liverpool FC also pledged to"stand alongside" Diogo's family and his brother, André, who also lost his life in the early hours of 3 July.
Diogo Jota, 28, and André Silva, 25, died following a road accident in the province of Zamora in Spain.
According to preliminary data from the Guardia Civil investigation, wheel problems combined with speeding may have caused the Lamborghini Huracán they were both driving to crash, which was eventually consumed in a fire that resulted from the accident.
They were both pronounced dead at the scene.
André Silva was also a professional footballer and played for FC Penafiel, a club in the second division of Portuguese football.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
6 hours ago
- France 24
Bayern Munich sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool
The Colombian, who won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield, has signed a contract with the Bundesliga champions until 2029. "In Luis Diaz, we have succeeded in bringing in one of the best left wingers in the Premier League," said Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. "He brings real player character from Liverpool to FC Bayern -- he's won silverware with every one of his clubs to date." Diaz, 28, said he was "very happy" with the move to the German club. "It means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern," he said. "They're one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to help my new team with my way of playing football and my character. "My goal is to win every possible title, and that's what we'll work for every day as a team." Diaz made 50 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions last season as Arne Slot's team clinched the English title for the 20th time. Diaz was left out of Liverpool's 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday as speculation mounted over his future. Diaz's signing gives Bayern a quality replacement for Germany forward Jamal Musiala, who has been ruled out for a "long period" after he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle at the recent Club World Cup.
France 24
20 hours ago
- France 24
Goalkeeper Trafford returns to Man City from Burnley
Man City activated a £27.5 million ($36.7 million) buy-back clause for the 22-year-old England youth international, according to British media reports. Trafford, who never played for the City senior team during his first spell at the Etihad Stadium, left for Burnley in 2023. He struggled in his first season as the Clarets were relegated from the Premier League, but equalled an English football record with 29 clean sheets last term to help Burnley earn promotion back into the top flight. "This is the place I call home -- it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play," he said in a statement. "I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving -- and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be. "I will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success." City coach Pep Guardiola dropped established number one Ederson multiple times last season in favour of Stefan Ortega. Trafford, who will wear the number one shirt, will battle with Brazilian Ederson to be first choice. He is Man City's sixth signing of the transfer window after they finished third last season, well adrift of champions Liverpool in their bid for a fifth straight Premier League title. Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli, Rayan Cherki and Sverre Nypan have all already moved to the club since the end of last season.
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Mbeumo looks forward to Fernandes link-up at Man Utd
After weeks of drawn-out talks, the 25-year-old finally joined United last week for £65 million ($87 million) plus a potential £6 million in add-ons. The Cameroon winger, who scored 20 goals and provided seven assists for Brentford in the Premier League last season, has signed a five-year deal with United, becoming their third signing of the summer transfer window. Mbeumo told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that Fernandes was the player he was most looking forward to playing with. "Everyone sees in the past years, he can shoot, he can cross, he can do crazy ball," he said. "Yeah, for a striker, you just enjoy that." Mbeumo is hoping to benefit from the experience of the Portuguese midfielder, who said last month he had rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia to stay at United despite their struggles last season. "On the pitch, when you're smart like he is, I think you don't even need to think a lot," he said. "You just need to make the run and he's going to play you in the right space every time. "But of course, you can have a little discussion to make him know how I prefer the balls and how I'm feeling the best to have the ball. "But at a certain point, there is only one way, even if it's not the one you like, you have to do the run and he's going to put the ball in a good position." Mbeumo's arrival follows the signings of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and Paraguay left-back Diego Leon, from Cerro Porteno. United have recently been linked with Ollie Watkins -- RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is also a reported target -- and Mbeumo described his former Brentford teammate as the "complete striker". Mbeumo said of Watkins: "He's like a complete striker. He can do a lot of things." United are currently on a summer tour of the United States, preparing for their Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17.
