Liverpool supporters are urging the club to pay tribute to Diogo Jota in a unique and historic manner following the tragic death of the 28-year-old forward. On Thursday, it was confirmed that Jota and his brother, André, were killed in a car accident during the early hours of the morning. Reports indicate that a tyre burst caused their vehicle to veer off the road, resulting in the fatal crash.
The global football community has been left devastated by the loss. Tributes have poured in from former teammates, clubs, and fans worldwide. While many have laid flowers or expressed their grief on social media, thousands are now calling on Liverpool to take an extraordinary step to commemorate the Portuguese international.
### Supporters Want Jota’s Shirt Number Retired
Jota, who wore the number 20 shirt during his time at Liverpool, has become the center of an emotional campaign. The hashtag “#RetireThe20” has gained momentum on X (formerly Twitter), with fans calling for the club to retire his jersey number as a lasting tribute. Jota consistently wore number 20 for both Liverpool and Portugal.
Although Liverpool has never retired a shirt number in its history, many supporters feel now is the moment to make an exception.
One fan wrote, “He wore number 20 while delivering title number 20. This is the perfect time to retire it.” Another added, “That number meant so much this season. Retiring it would be a powerful sign of respect.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, suggesting further tributes, including paying out the rest of his contract to his wife, a memorial at Anfield, and wearing black armbands next season in his honour.
### A Lasting Legacy
Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool and scored 65 goals during his time at the club. Fittingly, his final goal came in his last Merseyside derby—a 1-0 win against Everton at Anfield that helped secure Liverpool’s 20th league title.
Supporters are now calling on the club to ensure his legacy lives on through a gesture never before seen at Anfield: retiring the number 20 shirt forever.
