Football club Liverpool honors Diogo Jota with an emotional moment of silence during the Community Shield, but the silence was prematurely ended by the referee.
Liverpool Honours Beloved Forward Diogo Jota in Emotional Tribute
In a poignant display of respect and love, Liverpool Football Club and its fans paid tribute to Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away at the age of 28, alongside his brother André Silva in a car accident in Spain on July 3.
At the Community Shield match against Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium, a banner unfurled outside the stadium displayed Diogo Jota's Liverpool shirt, while wreaths were laid on the pitch before the match. The message 'Forever 20' was embroidered onto Liverpool players' shirts and pre-match jackets for the occasion.
The match was Liverpool's latest since Jota's death, and a minute's silence was held ahead of kick-off, although it was interrupted by a small minority of Palace fans. Liverpool supporters paid tribute with an applause during the 20th minute of the match, the number Jota wore on his jersey.
The team's new signing, Jeremie Frimpong, scored during the applause to restore Liverpool's lead, while Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring for Liverpool just four minutes into the match. Jean-Philippe Mateta equalised from the penalty spot for Crystal Palace.
Further tributes were paid to Jota against Athletic Bilbao on Monday in their first match at Anfield since his death, with a powerful rendition of his song by the crowd and the laying of wreaths prior to kick-off.
Tributes have continued to be paid to Jota by both Liverpool and the wider football community. Supporters reduced several players to tears as they chanted Diogo Jota's name after Liverpool's friendly against Preston last month.
The strong bond within the team was demonstrated by Liverpool teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson carrying floral tributes at Jota's funeral. Hundreds of people, including prominent figures in Portugal, gathered for the wake and funeral held in Gondomar, Portugal, where Jota and Silva were buried side by side.
As a mark of respect for their beloved forward, Liverpool retired Jota’s No. 20 shirt, and plans for a permanent memorial sculpture at Anfield have been announced. The club's Premier League campaign begins at home to Bournemouth on Friday night.
The Premier League transfer window is open, yet talk of prospective signings is overshadowed by the numerous tributes flowing in for Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away. Despite his absence, his memory will forever be vivid in the world of sports, especially football and the Premier League, where his number 20 jersey has been retired by Liverpool Football Club.
