Jota and his brother died in a car crash in Spain on Thursday.
Liverpool fans have demanded an extraordinary decision following Diogo Jota’s death.
Jota, 28, died together with his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, on Thursday.
According to the Zamora Provincial Council, the 28-year-old Portugal international and Silva, who also plays professionally for second-tier Portuguese club Penafiel, were in a vehicle that caught fire before spreading to the vegetation.
“Two young people die in an accident on the A-52 (Palacios de Sanabria),” according to a Council statement.
“The Rionegro del Puente Fire Station (Northern Zone of the @DiputacionZA Consortium) has responded.”
“The truck caught fire, and the flames spread across the vegetation.
“They were 28 and 26 years old.” RIP.”
Jota died barely two weeks after marrying his longtime partner, Rute Cardoso.
Several teams and high-profile people in football have paid tribute, including Porto, Wolves, and Liverpool, which issued a statement saying: “Liverpool Football Club is grieved by Diogo Jota’s untimely death.
“The club has been notified that the 28-year-old died in a road traffic accident in Spain, together with his brother Andre.
“Liverpool FC will make no further comment at this time and ask that the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates, and club personnel be respected as they try to cope with an incomprehensible tragedy.
“We will continue to provide them with our full support.”
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool captain, also paid tribute.
He posted on X: “Devastating news about Diogo Jota and his brother Andre this morning. Thoughts are with everyone in their family and friends, especially his wife Rute and their three beautiful children.”
The club’s followers are now clamoring for an unprecedented decision following the player’s death.
Several fans on social media have asked that Jota’s jersey number ’20’ be retired as an homage to the forward.
One admirer suggested he retire his number. Nobody else should wear number 20. “This is terrible news.”
Another commented, “Retiring his No. 20 would be a lovely tribute. Jota was among the most dangerous players off the bench.
A third person said, “I’ll never forget you. Rest easy, number 20. “You will never walk alone.”
Liverpool has never retired a shirt number before.
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