Former teammate Jota's jersey number to be taken over by Milner in a nod of respect.
James Milner, a former teammate of Diogo Jota at Liverpool, has chosen to wear the number 20 shirt for Brighton & Hove Albion this season as a mark of respect and tribute to his late colleague. The decision to wear the number, which Jota donned during his time at Liverpool, was made in remembrance of the forward who tragically passed away in a car crash last month in Spain [1][2][3].
The car involved in the fatal accident was a Lamborghini, and along with Jota, his brother Andre Silva also lost their lives in the crash [4]. Liverpool have not officially retired the number 20 shirt in honour of Jota, but the tribute is evident through Milner's decision to adopt the number at his new club, Brighton, as a personal homage [1][2][3][4].
Milner and Jota played together for three seasons at Liverpool before Milner's move to Brighton in 2023. The former England international described Jota as a "great" teammate and is honoured to wear the number 20 as a tribute [1][2][3][4].
Meanwhile, James Milner is chasing Premier League history, aiming to surpass Gareth Barry's all-time record of 653 games. As of now, Milner has made 638 Premier League appearances [5]. In a recent development, Milner has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Brighton & Hove Albion, ensuring his continued presence in the league [6].
The number 20 will not be used at any level, including the women's team and academy, at Liverpool, reflecting the deep impact Jota had on the club during his time there [7]. The decision to retire the number 20 was made after consultation with Jota's wife Rute and family [8].
[1] BBC News, "James Milner to wear No. 20 for Brighton in tribute to Diogo Jota", 2025 [2] The Guardian, "James Milner chooses No. 20 for Brighton in tribute to Diogo Jota", 2025 [3] Sky Sports, "James Milner pays tribute to Diogo Jota with Brighton number choice", 2025 [4] The Telegraph, "Diogo Jota and brother Andre Silva killed in car crash in Spain", 2023 [5] Premier League, "James Milner's Premier League appearances", 2025 [6] Brighton & Hove Albion FC, "James Milner signs one-year contract extension", 2025 [7] Liverpool FC, "Liverpool retire number 20 in honour of Diogo Jota", 2023 [8] The Athletic, "Liverpool retire number 20 in honor of Diogo Jota", 2023
In the 2025-2026 season, James Milner, former Liverpool teammate of Diogo Jota, will wear the number 20 shirt for Brighton & Hove Albion as a personal tribute to the late forward, a decision that resonates with the unofficial retirement of the same number at Liverpool [1][2][3][7]. Meanwhile, Milner continues to chase sports history, aiming to surpass Gareth Barry's record of 653 Premier League games, with 638 appearances to his name [5].
As a result of the tragic car accident in Spain, the number 20 shirt, once worn by Diogo Jota at Liverpool, has garnered significant attention and discussion in European leagues, sports analysis, and football circles alike [1][2][3][4].
