Liverpool retire No.20 in honour of Diogo Jota: 12 posthumously retired shirt numbers by English clubs

Sports Mole takes a look at 12 posthumously retired shirt numbers by English clubs after Liverpool confirm that the No.20 will be permanently retired in honour of Diogo Jota.

Liverpool have confirmed that the number 20 shirt will be permanently retired in honour of Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese forward tragically died in car crash at the age of 28 alongside his younger brother and fellow professional footballer - 25-year-old Andre Silva - in the early hours of the morning on July 3, 2025.

Within hours of the heartbreaking news being confirmed, many Liverpool supporters took to social media to express their view that Jota's No.20 shirt should be retired.

The Reds have since confirmed that Jota "will forever be Liverpool's number 20" after consulting with Jota's wife Rute Cardoso and his family.

The retirement of No.20 applies to the club at all levels, including the men's and women’s first team as well as all academy sides, and the tribute marks the first time the Reds have retired a player's number in their 133-year history.

“Jota will be forever our number 20”

“As a club, we were all acutely aware of the sentiment of our supporters - and we felt exactly the same way,” FSG CEO of Football, Michael Edwards, told Liverpool’s official website.

“It was vitally important to us to involve Diogo’s wife, Rute, and his family in the decision and to ensure they were the first to know of our intention.

“I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.

“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal - and therefore never to be forgotten.

“Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore - with honour, distinction and affection - the number 20.

“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”

List of posthumously retired shirt numbers by English clubs

Liverpool have become the 11th different English club to posthumously retire a shirt number, while West Ham United are the only English team who have ever done it twice.

Retired No.7 in memory of midfielder Peter Whittingham, who died in March 2020 at the age of 35 after suffering a traumatic head injury falling down stairs at a pub in a pretend fight with friends, an inquest heard.

Retired No.9 in honour of striker Adam Stansfield, who passed away in August 2010 at the age of 31 following a battle with colorectal cancer.

Retired No.25 in memory of midfielder Michael Maidens, who died in October 2007 at the age of 20 after a road traffic accident.

Liverpool:

Retired No.20 in honour of forward Diogo Jota, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 28 after a road traffic accident.

Retired No.21 in memory of midfielder Richard Butcher, who died in January 2011 at the age of 29 following a heart attack.

Retired No.23 in honour of midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe, who passed away in June 2003 at the age of 28 from an undiagnosed heart condition after collapsing during Cameroon’s Confederations Cup semi-final against Columbia.

Retired No.20 in memory of goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who died in June 2024 at the age of 26 from sudden heart failure.

Retired No.31 in honour of striker Ray Jones, who passed away in August 2007 at the age of 18 after a road traffic accident.

Retired No.1 in memory of goalkeeper Dale Roberts, who died in December 2010 at the age of 24 after committing suicide.

West Ham United:

Retired No.6 in honour of legendary defender and World Cup-winning England captain Bobby Moore, who passed away in February 1993 at the age of 51 following a battle with bowel cancer - West Ham retired the shirt number 15 years after his death.

West Ham also retired No.38 in memory of striker Dylan Tombides, who died in April 2016 at the age of 20 following a battle with testicular cancer.

Retired No.14 in honour of midfielder Mark Philo, who passed away in January 2006 at the age of 21 after a road traffic accident.

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