Liverpool Set to Retire Jota’s No. 20 Shirt and Pay Off Remaining Contract

On the 5th of July 2025, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, were laid to rest in their hometown following their tragic deaths in a fatal car accident in Spain. Since Jota’s sudden passing, Liverpool Football Club has paid tribute to the bright young star by announcing it will immortalise his legacy by retiring his No. 20 shirt and honour the remainder of his contract.

Two days earlier, at around 12:40 AM, Jota, 28, and Silva, 25, were killed in a horrific car accident on a highway in northwestern Spain. Their Lamborghini veered off the road after a suspected tyre blowout and caught fire. The Liverpool star, who had recently married his high school sweetheart Rute Cardoso, leaves behind his wife and their three young children. The loss has sent shockwaves through the football world, and the funeral was a heartbreaking moment for all who admired Jota.

Supporters were quick to emphasise the significance of Jota’s No. 20 shirt. Since joining Liverpool in 2020, Jota quickly became a fan favourite, scoring 182 goals and playing a key role in securing the club’s 20th league title in the 2024-25 season. The club confirmed on its website that his shirt number will be “rightly immortalised” in recognition of his incredible contributions.

Portuguese outlet Record also reported that Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, have committed to paying out the remaining two years of Jota’s contract in full. This gesture is intended to provide financial security for his wife, Rute Cardoso, and their three children during this time.

The emotional funeral of Jota and Silva drew hundreds, including teammates, fans, and legends of the game, all paying tribute to the beloved Liverpool forward. Team Portugal manager Roberto Martínez took a moment to address Sky Sports News, saying, “They are [have been] really sad days, as you can imagine, but today we have shown we are a very large, but close family,”.