Liverpool fans have called on the club to honour Diogo Jota following the 28-year-old’s tragic passing. It was announced on Thursday that Jota and his brother Andre had been involved in a road traffic accident in the early hours of the morning, when a tyre blew on their vehicle, causing them to crash off-road, leading to their passing.
The football world has been left in mourning since the news came to light, with several of Jota’s former clubs and teammates sharing their shock and condolences with the families involved. Football fans across the world have also shown their respects, with some laying flowers while others have posted on social media. And thousands have called for the Reds to do something they’ve never done before in order to pay tribute to the Premier League winner.
Fans Call For Liverpool to Retire Jota’s Shirt Number
The striker wore the number 20 for the Reds
In the wake of the heartbreaking news, the phrase ‘retire the 20’ has begun to trend on X, with many fans sharing the sentiment that the club should retire Jota’s shirt number to honour the former Portuguese international. The striker has worn the number ever since joining the club and has also sported it in some international fixtures in the past.
Liverpool have never previously retired a shirt number, but fans now believe that the time is right to take the unprecedented step.
“Wearing No.20 while winning No.20. Retire the number, it’s the most fitting time,” wrote one fan, while another added: “Retire his number. the number 20 was so symbolic this season and its just a little sign of respect the club can show.”
“Liverpool should just retire his number, nobody else should wear the number 20,” said a third, while a fourth also stated: “Retire the number 20, pay the remainder of his contract out in full to his wife, give him a memorial at Anfield, black armbands on the shirts for next season win the lot in his memory.”
Jota would play 182 games for Liverpool, scoring 65 while wearing the number 20 on his back. His final goal, perhaps fittingly, came in his final ever Merseyside derby as Arne Slot’s side beat Everton 1-0 at Anfield en route to winning the Premier League title.
