Portugal honour Jota by handing his number 21 jersey to close friend Neves

Portugal have paid tribute to the late Diogo Jota by passing his iconic number 21 jersey to close friend and former teammate Rúben Neves, national team coach Roberto Martínez announced on Friday.

Jota, the Liverpool forward, tragically died last month at the age of 28 alongside his younger brother, André Silva, when their Lamborghini crashed and caught fire in northwestern Spain.

Neves, now playing for Saudi club Al-Hilal, was a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral. The two shared a strong bond from their time together at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“We all know what Diogo meant to us and the impact he left on our lives,” Martínez told reporters. “We want to honour his memory every day. He will be with us, pushing us forward as we fight for our goals. Diogo’s example is a light for us, and we will carry his spirit in our hearts.”

Martínez added that Jota’s absence has become a source of “unity, motivation and responsibility” for the team: “Diogo dreamed of winning the World Cup, and we are here to fight for that dream. The number 21 shirt will go to Rúben Neves, because that way Diogo’s presence will remain on the pitch with us. He had a very close relationship with Diogo and is the perfect person to represent him.”

Tributes have poured in worldwide since Jota’s passing. Liverpool have retired the number 20 shirt he wore at the club, while Brighton midfielder James Milner, Jota’s former teammate at Anfield, has chosen to wear the number 20 this season in his memory.