emirates7 - Portugal have honoured the late Diogo Jota by assigning his number 21 jersey to his close friend and former teammate, Ruben Neves, national team coach Roberto Martinez announced. The tribute follows Jota’s tragic death in a car accident last month.

Neves, who plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal, served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral. The 28-year-old Liverpool forward died alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, in northwestern Spain when their Lamborghini crashed and caught fire.

Jota and Neves previously played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Martinez said: “We all know what Diogo meant to us and the impact he had on our lives. We want to honour his memory every day. His spirit will stay with us as a source of strength in chasing our goals. Diogo’s example will always inspire us. His absence now brings unity, motivation, and responsibility, because he dreamed of winning the World Cup, and we are here to fight for that dream. The number 21 shirt will go to Ruben Neves, who shared a very close bond with him and is the right person to represent him.”

Tributes to Jota continue worldwide. Liverpool have retired the number 20 jersey he wore for the club, while Brighton midfielder James Milner, Jota’s former teammate at Anfield, will wear the number 20 shirt this season as a gesture of remembrance.