Liverpool FC to Honor Diogo Jota with Permanent Memorial at Anfield

9 days ago

Liverpool fans pay tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of their side's friendly at Preston

Liverpool Football Club has announced plans to create a lasting tribute to their beloved forward, Diogo Jota, and his brother, Andre Silva, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident on July 3, 2025. The centerpiece of this tribute will be a permanent memorial sculpture to be erected at Anfield, a fitting homage to a player who left an indelible mark on the club and its supporters. This initiative, alongside other commemorative efforts, shows the profound impact Jota had both on and off the pitch during his time at Liverpool.

Diogo Jota, aged 28, and his younger brother Andre Silva, 25, a professional footballer for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel, were killed in a devastating car crash on the A-52 motorway in the municipality of Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain. The accident occurred in the early hours of July 3, as the brothers were traveling from Portugal to Santander, where Jota was due to catch a ferry back to England for pre-season training with Liverpool. Reports indicate that Jota had been advised against flying following minor surgery, prompting the road journey. The Guardia Civil noted that a possible tyre blowout during an overtaking maneuver may have caused the Lamborghini they were traveling in to leave the road, resulting in the fatal crash.

The football world was left in shock at the sudden loss of Jota, a Portugal international who had just celebrated a dream summer, winning the Premier League with Liverpool, the UEFA Nations League with Portugal, and marrying his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before the accident. Jota, a father of three, was known not only for his clinical finishing and tenacious play but also for his humility, warmth, and dedication to his family and community.

In the days following the tragedy, Anfield became a focal point for collective grief. Thousands of fans, from Liverpool supporters to those of rival clubs, descended upon the stadium to pay their respects. The area outside the Main Stand was transformed into a poignant tribute site, adorned with flowers, scarves, cards, banners, and even opposition jerseys, reflecting the universal admiration for Jota. Messages of condolence frequently referenced his squad number, with “Forever 20” becoming a recurring theme, alongside the club’s anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” which took on added resonance in the wake of the loss.

Liverpool FC, in consultation with Jota’s wife, Rute Cardoso, and his parents, Isabel and Joaquim, carefully collected and preserved these tributes. The club announced that the floral offerings would be composted and used in flower beds across all club sites, ensuring that the outpouring of love would contribute to the club’s lasting beauty. Other artifacts, including scarves and banners, will be recycled by a specialist company to form part of the permanent memorial sculpture, which will serve as a future focal point for remembrance at Anfield.

The memorial sculpture is just one of several initiatives Liverpool has planned to honor Jota and his brother. The club has already made the historic decision to retire the number 20 shirt across all levels of the club (men’s, women’s, and academy teams), marking the first time in Liverpool’s 133-year history that a player’s number has been permanently retired. This decision, made after discussions with Jota’s family, reflects the deep respect and affection the club held for the forward who wore the number 20 with “honour, distinction, and affection” since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020.

For the 2025/26 season, Liverpool players will wear a “Forever 20” emblem on their shirts and jackets, a visible tribute to Jota’s legacy. Additionally, supporters who choose to have “Diogo J. 20” printed on their shirts will see all profits directed to the LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity. These funds will support the creation of a grassroots football program in Jota’s name, ensuring his passion for the game inspires future generations.

The club has also planned a fan mosaic and a minute’s silence for Liverpool’s opening Premier League match against Bournemouth on August 15, 2025, at Anfield. Further tributes are scheduled for the pre-season game against Atletico Bilbao on August 4, with players wearing a “Diogo J. 20” patch during the club’s pre-season tour in Asia. A temporary area of reflection has been established at Anfield for fans wishing to continue paying their respects in the interim.

Diogo Jota’s journey to becoming a Liverpool icon was one of determination and humility. Born in Gondomar, Portugal, Jota rose from local club football to the global stage, bypassing the famed academies of Benfica, Sporting, and Porto. After a successful stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he scored 44 goals in 131 appearances, Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 for £45 million. His impact was immediate, with 65 goals in 182 appearances, including crucial strikes in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, all of which he won with the Reds. His former coach at Pacos de Ferreira, Vasco Seabra, described him as “an amazing person” whose humility and hunger to learn set him apart.

Off the pitch, Jota was a devoted family man and a beloved figure in the Liverpool dressing room. Known for his laid-back personality and love for darts, horse racing, and video games like FIFA, he was described by teammate Andy Robertson as “the most British foreign player” he had ever met. Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who signed Jota, called him “a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father,” while current manager Arne Slot praised him as “the essence of what a Liverpool player should be.” Through these tributes, Diogo Jota (forever number 20) will remain a cherished part of the Liverpool family, his memory woven into the fabric of the club and the sport he loved.