Portugal Honors Diogo Jota by passing on his number 21 sweater to good friend Ruben Neves

Portugal has paid tribute to Diogo Jota by passing on his number 21 sweater to his good friend and former teammate Ruben Neves, after the death of the attacker in a car accident last month, said national team coach Roberto Martinez.

Neves, a midfielder on the Saudi side Al-Hilal, was a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral. The Liverpool attacker died at the age of 28 with his younger brother, Andre Silva, in northwestern Spain after their Lamborghini had become off the road and erupted in flames.

Neves and Jota were teammates at Premier League Club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

«We know what Diogo meant for each of us and the impact he had on our lives. We want to honor his memory every day. He will be with us and will be another force that helps us achieve our goals. Diogo’s example is a light for us. We will wear his spirit in our hearts,» Martinez told reporters on Friday.

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“The absence of Diogo is a factor of unity, motivation and responsibility, because Diogo wanted to win the world cup, and we are here to fight and achieve that dream. I can also announce that the number 21 sweater goes to Ruben Neves, because that way that number stays on the field and with all of us …

«He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the ideal person to represent him.»

Tribute continued to come in for Jota, where Liverpool retired the number 20 shirt that he was wearing in the club. Brighton & Hove Albion -midfielder James Milner, who was teammates with Jota in Liverpool, is also wearing the number 20 sweater this season.

Published on August 30, 2025