After consulting with Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, and his family, Liverpool announced that Jota's number 20 will be permanently retired at all levels, including the women's and youth teams.

This decision not only recognizes Jota's contributions on the field but also honors the personal impact he had on club members during his 5 years with Merseyside.

Diogo Jota's wife, Rute Cardoso, holds their two children during a memorial service for her late husband at Anfield on 11/7. Photo: PP

"The most important thing for us was to consult with Jota’s wife, Rute, and his family in making this decision and to ensure that they were the first to know of our intentions," Michael Edwards, Managing Director of Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, said on 11/7.

According to Edwards, this is the first time Liverpool has retired a jersey number and bestowed such a special honor on a player. "This is a special tribute to a wonderful person", he expressed. "By retiring it permanently, we are making the number 20 eternal, and therefore it will never be forgotten. Jota joined Liverpool in 2020, bringing home the 20th English championship, and he wore the number 20 with pride, distinction and affection. Jota will forever be Liverpool's number 20."

Liverpool players bring flowers in memory of Diogo Jota at Anfield. Photo: EPA

Jota wore the number 20 shirt since leaving Wolves to join Liverpool in 2020, making a total of 182 appearances, scoring 65 goals and providing 26 assists. He helped Liverpool win the Premier League last season, as well as the FA Cup and two League Cups.

Liverpool postponed the start of their preseason training following Jota's death. The team is expected to return to training on 10/7. The Premier League champions will play their first friendly match against Preston on 13/7.

Jota and Silva will be remembered at Deepdale Stadium with Liverpool's traditional song "You'll Never Walk Alone" played before the match. Preston will lay wreaths along with the visiting fans. Liverpool also confirmed both teams will wear black armbands and observe a minute's silence. Tribute images will be displayed on the screen and LED lights around the stadium.

Jota was involved in the accident while driving a Lamborghini Huracan with his brother Andre Silva on the A52 highway on the morning of 3/7, approximately 110 km west of Valladolid, Spain. While attempting to overtake another vehicle, Jota’s car reportedly suffered a tire blowout, causing him to lose control, roll several times, and catch fire. Jota and Silva, a player for the Portuguese second division team Penafiel, both died.

Jota passed away just 11 days after marrying his longtime girlfriend Rute Cardoso. The two first met in 2012 at the age of 13, while attending the same high school in Porto. They have been together ever since and have three children. In July 2022, Diogo and Cardoso got engaged. On 22/6, they were married in Porto and shared photos of their wedding and their children on social media.

The funeral for Jota and Silva was held at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar Catholic Church on the morning of 5/7. This is also the town where the Liverpool striker was married last month. The bodies of the two brothers were buried in the local cemetery after the official ceremonies.

Many of Jota's teammates from the Portuguese national team, and clubs he played for, such as Liverpool, Porto, and Wolves, along with coaches, football managers, politicians, fans, and the public, paid their respects and bid farewell to the brothers. At Anfield, Liverpool set up an area for fans and players who could not travel to Portugal to lay flowers and light candles in memory of Jota.

Hong Duy (according to ESPN)