The football community is grieving deeply as Rute Cardoso, wife of the late Portuguese star Diogo Jota, made an emotional visit to the growing memorial outside Anfield. Fans, players, and staff have laid hundreds of flowers to honour Jota, who tragically died in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva in Spain last week.
Liverpool Players and Staff Pay Respects
On Friday, Liverpool manager Arne Slot and key players like Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo joined fans to lay roses at the Anfield tribute. The club has announced that Jota’s iconic number 20 shirt will be retired forever, marking the first time in Liverpool’s history that such an honour has been given.
Club CEO Michael Edwards confirmed that the decision was made together with Rute Cardoso and Jota’s family. He described it as a unique gesture for a truly special player whose legacy will live on.
A Permanent Tribute to Jota
Liverpool’s statement explained that retiring the shirt number is their way of making it eternal. Jota wore the number 20 with pride since joining the club in 2020. Now, no player across the senior team, women’s squad, or academy will wear it again.
The memorial at Anfield has become a place of comfort for fans and loved ones, including Rute Cardoso, who has faced this unimaginable loss with strength and grace. The couple had recently celebrated their wedding in Portugal before tragedy struck.
Liverpool to Honour Jota During Next Match
Despite the sombre mood, Liverpool’s fixture against Preston North End will go ahead as planned. Before kick-off, the club will hold a minute’s silence, with players wearing black armbands and the anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone ringing out in Jota’s honour.
Fans have surrounded Anfield with messages and flowers, ensuring that Diogo and Andre’s memories live on. Former teammates and the wider football family continue to offer support to Rute Cardoso and the families affected by this devastating loss.
Liverpool remains united in grief but determined to stand by the family living up to the club’s promise that You’ll Never Walk Alone truly means no one faces heartbreak alone.