Respecting Diogo Jota, Liverpool Retired Number 20 At All Team Levels
JAKARTA - Liverpool officially retired Diogo Jota's number 20 jersey at all levels of the team, including the women's team, after the Portuguese player died in an accident in Spain last week with his brother Andre Silva.
This decision was taken by Liverpool after going through discussions with Jota's wife, Cardoso Route, and her family.
"After consulting with his wife, route, and family, the club can announce that the jersey number will be retired in honor and memory of Diogo at all levels, including the women's team and the academy," Liverpool quoted Antara as saying.
Liverpool stated that the policy is an acknowledgment, not only for Jota's contribution to the success of the Reds over the past five years, but also for the deep personal impact Jota has had on teammates, colleagues and fans.
Football CEO Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool's parent company, Michael Edwards, confirmed that the decision to rest number 20 at all level teams was the first time in Liverpool's history.
"Therefore, we can say that this is a unique tribute to someone extraordinary," Edwards said.
By retiring the number 20 shirt, he said Liverpool made Jota and her back number eternal and would never be forgotten.
"Diogo joined us in 2020. He won the number 20 jersey for us with full honor, privilege, and affection," said Edwards.
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Representing Liverpool's management, Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner, and Mike Gordon collectively later added that the decision regarding the jersey number shows how important Jota is to the Reds
"Our love for Route, her three beautiful children, and her family who continue to mourn the passing of Diogo andLAdi," they said.
Jota was recruited by Liverpool in the 2020-2021 season with Thiago Alcantara and Kostas Tsimikas, when the Reds were still trained by Jurgen Klopp.
The player who died at the age of 28 was transferred from another British team, Wolverhampton Wanderers.
At Liverpool, Jota scored a total of 65 goals and 26 assists from 182 matches. Throughout that, he won one Premier League trophy, the FA Cup, and two League Cups.